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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: | 



A 

PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

OF 

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



A 

PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

FROM 

THE DISCOVERY OF THE CONTINENT 

TO THE PRESENT TIME. 

With Brief Notes on Coniemporatieous 
Eve7tts. 

(ffljronolorji calls arrangtlj. 

By EDWARD ABBOTT. 

Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1875. 



ABBOTTS PARAGRAPH HISTORIES. 



Paragraph History 



OF THE 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



By EDWARD ABBOTT. 



" It was the grandest of causes, won by the skirmishes of sentinels and 
outposts." — Lafayette. 



ro i-o^: 



BOSTON: - ''^-^'* 

ROBERTS BROTHERS. 
1876. 



^ \ ■-. 



Copyright, 1876, 
By Edward Abbott. 




Cainbridge : 
Press of John Wilson ajtd Son. 



A PREFATORY NOTE. 



This little book extends to the American Revo- 
lution the method which, in " A Paragraph History 
of the United States," was applied to the history 
of the continent and nation entire. To those who 
are familiar with the struggle of the Colonies for 
independence, it will perhaps seem more remark- 
able for what it omits than useful for what it con- 
tains. But it is not intended for those who are 
familiar with that struggle ; for such rather as 
have never read a history proper, or who have 
heard only by chance and uncertain mention what 
our country's fathers did, and in these busy cen- 
tennial times have only moments by the way in 
which to trace the outline. I hear that the " Para- 
graph History of the United States " has gone into 
a school here and there as a text-book : possibly 
this, too, may serve as an incentive and directory 
to that broader, deeper, fuller study which should 
hold a first place in the attention of every Ameri- 
can, old and young. 

It hardly needs to be said that almost no use 
whatever has been made of original sources of 



6 PRE FA TOR V NO TE. 

information, except so far as they have stood dis- 
closed in the pages of such standard works as Mr. 
Bancroft's History. To that indeed I am greatly 
beholden ; and it is both duty and pleasure here to 
acknowledge my obligations to Mr. Bancroft him- 
self, and to his publishers, Little, Brown, & Com- 
pany, for their joint and kind permission to make 
such use of that work as appears in the extracts 
from and abridgments of a few among its many 
striking passages. These and other foot-notes will, 
it is hoped, in some measure clothe the nakedness 
of the skeleton. Both taste and justness have given 
a large proportion of space to the events which con- 
stituted the approach to the war. Some incidents 
introduced may seem too trivial, and others to have 
been too much magnified, for the truest perspective ; 
but all such have a place, and an important place, 
in informing the mind of the true spirit and form 
of the contest. The maps, such as they are, are 
not done to a uniform scale, as indeed they could 
not well be. Other features of the book will 
explain themselves ; and with these words of ex- 
planation I would drop it into the pockets of the 
people on their way to Philadelphia. 

E. A. 

Cambridge, Mass., 

March 17, 1876. 



SYNOPSIS. 



PAGE 

I. A Preliminary Survey. 1750 — 1775. 

The Condition of Europe 13 

The Condition of North America 13 

The Grounds of the Revolution ■ . 14 

II. The Approach to the War. 1761 — 1775. 

Writs of Assistance 16 

The Stamp Act ' 17 

Sons of Liberty 17 

Action of the Virginia Legislature 18 

The First Colonial Congress 18 

The Stamp Act Repealed 19 

Renewed Taxation 20 

The Massachusetts Circular 21 

The Romney Affair 21 

A Boston Town-Meeting 22 

A Convention of Massachusetts Towns 23 

Arrival of British Troops at Boston 23 

The Widening of the Breach 24 

The Boston Massacre 25 

Intimidating Measures 26 

An Outbreak in North Carolina 27 

The Events of 1772 28 

Troubles over the Tea 29 

Further Oppressive Legislation by Parliament .... 30 

An Indignation Meeting 31 

The Boston Port Bill 31 

Seizure of Powder by General Gage 32 

The Old Continental Congress 32 

A Provincial Congress in Massachusetts 23 

Patriotism at Portsmouth 34 

Virginia for Defence 34 



o SYNOPSIS. 

III. From the Battle of Lexington and Con- 

cord TO the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. April, 1775 — July, 1776. 

PAGE 

The Battle of Lexington and Concord 35 

The Uprising 37 

Ticonderoga and Crown Point 38 

The Mecklenburg Declaration 38 

The Second Continental Congress 2i^ 

The Battle of Bunker Hill 40 

Washington in Cambridge 41 

Franklin's Proposal for a Confederation 41 

An Invasion of Canada . . 42 

A Busy Autumn 42 

Thomas Paine's ''Common Sense " 44 

Burning of Norfolk, Va 44 

Measures of the Congress 44 

The Evacuation of Boston 45 

Colonial Action 46 

The Action of Virginia 47 

An Expedition against Charleston, S.C 48 

IV. The Declaration of Independence. 

June — July, 1776. 

The Lee Resolutions 49 

The Declaration 50 

V. From the Declaration of Independence 
to Burgoyne's Surrender. July, 1776 
— October, 1777. 

The British at New York 56 

The Battle of Long Island 57 

The Retreat Southward 58 

The Campaign on Lake Champlain 59 

The Capture of General Charles Lee 60 

The Battle of Trenton 61 

Measures of the Congress 62 

Eight State Governments 62 

The Battle of Princeton 63 

The Early Months of 1777 64 

The Constitution of Georgia 65 

The Constitution of New York 65 

Lafayette and Others 65 



SYNOPSIS. 9 

PAGE 

The British evacuate New Jersey 66 

The Flag / ' , * ^7 

The First Anniversary of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence 68 

Burgovne's Advance from Canada 68 

The Battle of Bennington . 7° 

Burgoyne's Surrender at Saratoga 7° 

VI. From Burgoyne's Surrender to the 
Campaign of i779- October, i777— 
December, 1778. 

The Philadelphia Campaign 72 

The Battle of Germantown Ti 

The Forts on the Delaware 73 

Confederation 74 

The Camp at Valley Forge 75 

The Conway Cabal 75 

The Constitution of South Carolina 76 

Clark's Expedition 76 

Foreign Relations 17 

The Battle" of Monmouth 77 

The Massacre of Wyoming 78 

The French Fleet 7^ 

Winter Quarters 79 

VII. From the Campaign of 1779 to the Trea- 
son of Benedict Arnold. January, 
1779 — September, 1780. 

The Invasion of Georgia 79 

Ravaging Expeditions at the North 80 

The Recapture of Stony Point . 81 

Other Events of the Summer 81 



John Paul Jones 



82 



The Attack upon Savannah 82 

The Army in Winter Quarters 82 

The Finances 83 

Plans for Peace H 

The Constitution of Massachusetts 85 

The Capture of Charleston, S.C 86 

An Expedition into New Jersey 86 

Arrival of French Reinforcements 87 

The Treason of Benedict Arnold 87 



lo SYNOPSIS. 

VIII. The Decisive Campaign, 1780— 178 i. 

PAGE 

The Campaign of 1 780-1 78 1 89 

Partisan Warfare 89 

The Battle of Camden, S,C 90 

Severe Measures of the British 91 

The Battle of King's Mountain 91 

The Battle of Cowpens 92 

The Battle of Guilford Court House 92 

The Battle of Hobkirk's Hill 93 

The Repossession of South Carolina 93 

The Execution of Hayne 94 

The Battle of Eutaw Springs 94 

Movements at the North 95 

The Summer Situation 96 

The Siege of Yorktown 97 

The Surrender of Cornwallis 97 

IX. The Close of the War. 1781 — 1783. 

Subsequent Military Movements 98 

Thanksgiving 99 

Robert Morris and the Finances 99 

Peace 99 

Cessation of Hostilities 100 

The Constitution of New Hampshire 100 

Disbandment and Evacuation loi 

X. The Sequel. 

Washington's Retirement lor 

The Society of the Cincinnati 102 

Evils following the War 102 

The Constitutional Convention 103 



Appendix 104 

Index 107 



LIST OF MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE 

Faneuil Hall 22 

Boston and Vicinity 40 

Independence Hall, Philadelphia 55 

New York and Vicinity 57 

New Jersey 61 

Flag of 1777 67 

Pine-Tree Flag 68 

Lake Champlain and Saratoga 69 

Philadelphia and Vicinity 72 

Charleston and Vicinity 89 

Yorktown and Vicinity 97 



14 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

the Atlantic seaboard, comprised the chief civilized occu- 
pants of North America. There were French settlements 
in Canada and along the Mississippi. A few adventurers 
were slowly pushing out into the wilderness of the interior. 
The oldest of the thirteen Colonies was Virginia, which, 
with Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, 
New Hampshire, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, 
and Georgia, had been settled by the English. New York 
and New Jersey were originally settled by the Dutch, and 
Delaware by the Swedes ; but all of the Colonies were 
now subject to Great Britain, though in a degree govern- 
ing themselves. Widely separated from England and the 
rest of the world, they were bound together by common 
interests and sympathies. The period to which this para- 
graph relates had been immediately preceded in America 
by "King George's War," between the Colonies and the 
French, the chief field of which was the island of Cape 
Breton. The period itself was marked by the " French 
and Indian War ; " the distinguishing features of which 
were the unsuccessful attempt of the English to wrest 
from the French the valley of the Ohio, the English conquest 
of Canada from the French, and the English war with the 
Indian Pontiac in the vicinity of the Great Lakes. In all 
these conflicts, the colonists bore a part. 

1750-1775. The Grounds of the Revolution. In 
the Revolution, the thirteen English Colonies in America 
threw off the rule of Great Britain, and became an inde- 
pendent nation under the name of the United States of 
America. In various ways, British rule had become ob- 
noxious to the Colonies. The King and Parliament re- 
garded their authority as properly extending to the Colonies ; 
the Colonies held that they were not bound by that author- 
ity. In particular, it came in time to be that England 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 15 

claimed the right to regulate the manufactures and trade 
of the Colonies ; to impose taxes upon them ; and to make 
their governors and judges responsible to the Crown. 
These claims the Colonies strenuously disputed ; demand- 
ing, on the" other hand, freedom to make j^g^ q^^ 2- Ac- 
their own commercial regulations, pro- cession of Gcoi-ge 

testing against taxation without corre- / ^'^ '^^rS,l{^ 

. . , t/irofte. William 

spondmg representation, and wishmg to ntt at the head 

hold their governors and judges in some of the ministry. 
measure responsible to themselves. Putting ourselves in 
England's place, it is not difficult to see how she might have 
felt that right was on her side, and that the Colonies were 
unreasonable.* Putting ourselves in the Colonies' place, 
it is no more difficult to see how they must have felt that 
England's course was oppressive.f England's policy toward 
the Colonies was by no means the unanimous voice of the 
government; for the Colonies had warm friends and zealous 
champions even in Parliament, and much sympathy among 
the people at large. The resistance of the Colonies was at 
first with no distinct purpose of separation : it ended in 
that extreme measure, only because England's policy made 
compromise absolutely impossible. The Colonies began 
with the endeavor to obtain a redress of grievances ; in the 
end, nothing was left for them but to fight for their inde- 
pendence. 

* " It is hic;lily reasonable they should contribute something towards 
the charc;e of protecting themselves, and in aid of the great expense 
Great Britain puts herself to on their account." — Grenville, Chancellor of 
the Exchequer^ in the House of C ominotis ■ 

t ■' A king who annuls or disallows laws of so salutary a nature, from 
being the father of his people, degenerates into a tyrant, and forfeits all 
right to obedience." — Argutnent of Patrick Henry before a Virginia 
court. 



1 6 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



II. 

THE APPROACH TO THE WAR. 

1761-1775. 

1761. Writs of Assistance. One of the irritating 

measures which Parliament adopted to enforce upon the 

Colonies the legislation so obnoxious to them was to issue 

"Writs of Assistance, which were in effect search-warrants, 

1762. A/rti' The empowering officers of the Crown to enter 

Earl of Bute sue- any store or dwelling for the purpose of 

ceeds Pitt. seizing articles of foreign merchandise 

suspected of having been imported without the payment 

of the prescribed duties. These writs were first made use 

of in Massachusetts. James Otis, advo- 
176-!. April. Sir ^ , . , • 1 1 

George Grenville c^te for the Admiralty, was summoned to 

succeeds the Earl defend their use against the formal pro- 
0/ Bu e. tests of the mercantile community. Otis, 

however, resigned his office, and at the hearing upon the 
question, which followed before a board of five judges, ap- 
peared as the advocate of the people. "To my dying day," 
he vehemently exclaimed, " I will oppose, with all the power 
and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of 
slavery on the one hand, and villany on the other." 
"Then and there," said John Adams, in his comment 
upon the scene, "was the first opposition to the arbitrary 
claims of Great Britain. Then and there the child Inde- 
pendence was born." The stand thus taken by Otis won 
for him immense popularity throughout the Colonies. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 17 

1765. The Stamp Act. In March, Parliament passed 
the Stamp Act, by which stamp duties were 1765- Jati. 10. 
extended to the American Colonies. The fJ^J^^^^^lg 
Stamp Act required that for all instru- Khig presents the 

ments in writin^j used in business, such Ajnerkan ques- 

° . tion as one of 

as notes, contracts, deeds, certmcates, ^'^ obedience to the 

etc., and for all printed pamphlets, news- laws and respect 

papers, etc., a certain .y/^zw/^^ paper only ^Zt1writfof%T 

should be used, the stamps being sold by kingdom.'''' 

the government at varying prices, and 1765. Feb. 2. 

thus affording a considerable revenue. 'i7^kSf:L 

This measure did not lack opposition other agents of 

even in Parliament, and in the Colonies Pennsylvania, 

. . ... . T, 1 Connecticut, and 

It awakened deep mdignation. Popular ^ Carolina with 

feeling ran especially high in Boston,* a remonstrance 

New York, and Philadelphia. In the f^inst the txixa- 

' ^ tion oj the Lolo- 

Virginia Assembly, Patrick Henry in- nies by Parlia- 
troduced a series of condemnatory reso- i^^ent. 
lutions, and advocated them with a fiery speech. In many 
places, the stamp officers were roughly treated, and some of 
them were compelled to resign ; great quantities of stamps 
were seized and destroyed ; and by the first of November, 
when the odious act was to take effect, the popular resistance 
to it had become fully organized. Business was for a time 
practically suspended, presently to be resumed with a total 
disregard of the provisions of the act. 

1765. Sons of Liberty. Colonel Barre, in a speech 
in the House of Commons in behalf of the colonists, had 
characterized them as " Sons of Liberty." f The phrase 
was adopted across the water as a watchword, and became 

* "The people, the populace, as they are contemptuously called, have 
rights antecedent to all earthly government, — rights that cannot be re- 
pealed or i-estrained by human laws, — rights derived from the Great Legis- 
lator of the Universe." — John Adains on the Statnp Act. 

t This was the speech in which also occurred these memorable words: 

2 



i8 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

the name of patriotic organizations which sprang up in 
every direction. The Sons of Liberty were the leaders 
in the more popular forms of resistance which the Stamp 
Act encountered ; and their demonstrations, which some- 
times verged on the riotous, had a powerful effect in defin- 
ing and directing the popular feeling. 

1765. May. Action of the Virginia Legislature 
exerted a powerful influence throughout the Colonies in 
shaping popular feeling into a settled pur- 
^Marqlis If Rock- P^se. Under the lead of Patrick Henry, 
Ingham sitcceeds resolutions were adopted insisting upon 
ifile^"'''^^ ^''^"- the rights of that Colony to make its own 
laws and impose its own taxes. 

1765. October. The First Colonial Congress. In the 
midst of the excitement over the Stamp Act, and in the in- 
terval between its enactment and the time designated for 
it to take effect, it had occurred to the General Court of 
Massachusetts to call a congress of deputies from the sev- 
eral Colonies for deliberation. New York was fixed upon 
as the place, and the first Tuesday in October as the time. 
Twenty-eight delegates assembled, representing nine Colo- 
nies ; namely, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Delaware, New 
Jersey, and New York. New Hampshire sent no repre- 
sentative, but agreed to abide by the result ; and during the 
session a messenger arrived from Georgia, having come a 
thousand miles by land to obtain a copy of the proceedings. 
The Congress remained in session some eighteen days, oc- 
cupied with discussions of the policy which the Colonies 
should pursue. Timothy Ruggles, of Massachusetts, pre- 

" They planted by your care! No! your oppressions planted them in 
America. . . . They nourished up by your indulgence ! They grew Ly 
your neglect of them. . . . They protected by your arms ! They have 
nobly taken up arms in your defence." . . . 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 19 

sided. The South Carolina deputies were leading spirits.* 
Three important papers were adopted. The question be- 
fore the Congress was upon what ground to rest the demand 
for colonial liberty. vShould a stand be made simply for 
rights held under royal charters, or, going back of charters, 
should those natural and inalienable rights be insisted on, 
which are the provision of eternal justice and truth ? Upon 
this question there was a wide difference of views, Rug- 
gles and Otis of Massachusetts and Johnson of Connecticut 
favored the former alternative ; Livingston of New York 
and Gadsden of South Carolina, the latter. The latter was 
finally adopted, and the Congress drew up a Declaration 
of Rights, addresses to the Houses of Parliament, and a 
Petition to the King, setting forth the grievances of the 
Colonies, dwelling on the right of trial by jury, and pro- 
testing against the imposition of taxes except by the colo- 
nial legislatures. These papers were duly signed by a 
majority of the members of the Congress, acting in the 
name of the Colonies, who thus became, as these their 
representatives expressed it, "a bundle of sticks, which 
could neither be bent nor broken." 

1766. March. The Stamp Act Repealed. The news 
of the reception of the Stamp Act in the Colonies, and of the 
popular indignation and disturbance which efforts at its 
enforcement had created, produced great 1766. Feb. 13. 
excitement in England. A heated debate Franklin before 
r 11 1 • T^ ,. ,,T.,,. TT^. t'ls House of 

followed ni Parliament, William Pitt Commons -with 

leading the movement in favor of repeal- evidence vpon 
ing the act.t The repeal was finally J^^ S't/" 

* " Massachusetts sounded the trumpet, but to South Carolina is it 
owing that it was attended to. Had it not been for South Carolina, no 
Congress would then have happened." — Christopher Gadsden. 

_ t " America, beins; neither really nor virtually represented in West- 
minster, cannot be held legally, or constitutionally, or reasonably subject 
to obedience to any money-bill of this Kingdom." — William Pitt. 



20 



PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



carried, but it was accompanied by a 
"declaratory act," the purport of which 
was a claim by Parliament of supreme 
power over the Colonies, in all cases 
whatsoever. Thus the Crown in reality 
insisted upon the principle, while for the 
time waiving the offensive application 
of it. With the Colonies, the applicationi 
was a matter of comparatively little con- 
sequence : it was the principle against 
which they contended. The repeal, how- 
ever, occasioned great joy in America, 
and was celebrated with enthusiastic demonstrations. 

1767. Renewed Taxation. Under the lead of Charles 
Townshend, and taking advantage of the " declaratory act " 
carried at the time of the repeal of the 
Stamp Act, Parliament passed in June an 
act subjecting the Colonies to taxes upon 
oil, paints, and lead colors, glass, paper, 
and tea. A board of Commissioners of 
Customs was also established, to reside 
at Boston ; and the functions of the New 
York Legislature were suspended until it 
should recede from the insubordinate atti- 
tude which it had taken. These measures 
awakened fresh indignation throughout the Colonies. Re- 
vealing the unmistakable purpose of England, they also 

^ cv ^1 furnished occasion for more pronounced 

1707. J line. 1 lie 1 r 1 

Duke of Grafton resistance than ever on the part of the 
succeeds Pitt. Colonies, and in effect tended to render 

permanent a breach that might have been closed. In Massa- 
chusetts, for instance, the Governor having refused to con- 
vene the Legislature, the people of Boston assembled in 



1766. March. 
Ulloa arrives at 
New Orleans to 
take possession of 
the French colony 
in the name of 
Spain. 

1766. July. Pitt 
consents to form 
a ne%v Ministry., 
but greatly 7vcak- 
ens his popular- 
ity by accepting a 
f>eerage. 



1767. April. 
Choiseul., French 
Minister of For- 
eign Affair s.,sends 
the Baron de 
Kalb to America 
as a confidential 
agent to examine 
the condition and 
temper of the Col- 
ognes as respects 
■war until Eng- 
land. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 21 

town -meeting, and voted to forego importation of British 
manufactures. Steps were taken to make the abstinence 
general throughout the Colonies. 

1768. Febricary. The Massachusetts Circular. The 
Massachusetts Legislature, having adopted a remonstrance 
against this renewed policy of taxation, addressed a Circular 
Letter, drawn up by Samuel Adams,* to the sister Colonies, 
soliciting their co-operation in obtaining redress. * A copy 
of this circular was frankly forwarded to England. It drew 
from the Ministry a letter instructing the colonial Governor 
of Massachusetts, Bernard, to require the Legislature to 
rescind the circular. This the Legislature refused to do, 
whereupon it was dissolved by the Governor. 

1768. June. The Romney Affair. The " Romney " was 

a British man-of-war, which had been or- ^o cv o 
TT, , • r , 1768. Jime%. 

dered to Boston at the instance of the The British Min- 
Commissioners of Customs, for purposes istry order a mil- 
of intimidation. She began her service ^^^/^ ^^ ^^^^^^^_ 
by impressing New England seamen as 
they entered or left the harbor. On the loth of June, the 
sloop " Liberty," belonging to John Hancock, was seized for 
some alleged violation of the customs laws, and towed un- 
der her guns. Great excitement attended this act on shore, 

* Samuel Adams was a native of Boston, trained at Harvard College, 
a provincial statesman, of the most clear and logical mind, a strict Cal- 
vinist, a member of a Congregational church, and an example in severity 
of morals. His was a house of prayer, and no one more revered the 
Christian Sabbath. He was a tender husband and an affectionate parent ; 
but the walls of his modest mansion never witnessed dissipation, or levity, 
or frivolous amusements. His incessant prayer was that " Boston 
might become a Christian Sparta." He was now about 42 ; poor, frugal, 
and temperate; yet whoever visited him saw around him every circum- 
stance of propriety. He was famed as a political writer, had an affable 
and persuasive address, sought fame as little as fortune, and office less 
than either, and for himself and for others held that all sorrows and all 
losses were to be encountered, rather than that liberty should perish. 
Abridged frotn Bancroft., vol. v. pp. 194-197. 



22 



PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



and there were some riotous demonstrations by the popu- 
lace, in view of which four of the five Commissioners, 
from prudence or other motives, took refuge on board the 
" Romney." 




Faneuil Hall in 1768. 



1768. September. A . Boston Town Meeting. It 

having become known that Governor Bernard of Massa- 
chusetts had sent to Nova Scotia for British troops, and 
he having previously prohibited the assembling of the 
Legislature, the inhabitants of Boston were summoned to a 
town-meeting in Faneuil Hall to deliberate upon the situa- 
tion. The meeting affirmed colonial rights against royal 
usurpation in the distinctest terms, and resolved that they, 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 23 

" the inhabitants of the town of Boston, will, at the utmost 
peril of their lives and fortunes, maintain and defend their 
rights, liberties, privileges, and immunities." " There are the 
arms," said James Otis, who was moderator, pointing to 
the boxes on the floor containing some four hundred mus- 
kets belonging to the town ; " when an attempt is made 
against your liberties, they will be delivered." Every in- 
habitant was advised to arm himself ; a day near at hand 
was recommended to be set apart for fasting and prayer ; 
and, most important perhaps of all, a convention of the 
towns of the province was called to concert further meas- 
ures for meeting the impending crisis. 

1768. September. A Convention of Massachusetts 
Towns. The towns of the province responded almost 
unanimously to the request of Boston. Ninety-six were 
represented in the convention, which was also held in 
Faneuil Hall. It was a significant circumstance that the 
convention chose for its presiding officer and secretary the 
Speaker and Clerk of the legislative body which the Gov- 
ernor had disbanded. The Governor was petitioned to call 
the Legislature together. His reply was a summons to the 
convention to dissolve. This it did, but not till after a 
deliberate session of six days, in which former protests 
against the encroachments of the Crown were renewed 
more explicitly than ever. 

1768. October. Arrival of British Troops at Bos- 
ton. The squadron, conveying from Halifax the troops 
which Governor Bernard had sent for, arrived in the harbor 
close upon the adjournment of the convention of towns. 
On the first day of October, with a considerable show of 
force, the troops were landed at the wharves. According 
to law, no soldiers could be quartered in the town when 
there was room in the barracks at the fort in the harbor. 



24 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

The requisition upon the Selectmen for quarters was there- 
fore refused. One regiment encamped on the Common. 
The other in a spirit of compassion was temporarily lodged 
in Faneuil Hall. It was only with the greatest dif^culty 
that permanent quarters were secured, and then only on 
such terms as clearly laid the cost of the maintenance of 
the troops upon England, and not upon the province. The 
presence of British soldiers in Boston only deepened the 
resentment of the people, and it became more and more 
evident that at this point, "one stubborn little town on 
the sterile coast of the Massachusetts Bay," the impending 
storm was first to break. 

1769. The Widening of the Breach. This year 
passed away without witnessing events of a startling char- 
acter. It was marked rather by the slow development of 
lines of action on the side of both England and the Colo- 
nies, and by the occurrence of many minor incidents, which 
yet were not without grave importance as indicating, if not 
promoting, the issue. Parliament was occupied with dis- 
cussing measures to be pursued toward the unmanageable 
Colonies ; the latter, with consultations and correspondence 
looking to a better mutual understanding and a consolida- 
tion of moral forces for persistent resistance to oppression. 
Parliament refused to relinquish the right to tax ; in the 
1770. January. Colonies, non-importation agreements 
Lord North sue- ^gj-g entered into. The Massachusetts 
ceeas the Duke t • 1 1 • • 1 , , 

of Grafton as Legislature havmg agam assembled, and 

Prbne jVImister, addressed complaints of the state of affairs 
7haTuffieftmtil ^^ Governor Bernard, was in consequence 
1782. removed from Boston to Cambridge, but 

persisted in refusing to vote supplies to the British troops. 
Bernard was presently recalled to England. The New York 
Assembly proposed the formation of a body of representa- 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 25 

tives from the several provinces, which should exercise 
legislative functions for all. The Virginia Legislature, with 
utmost boldness and undisguised plainness of speech, re- 
solved anew its own exclusive right to impose taxes ; urged 
concert of action in protecting colonial rights ; and was hotly 
dissolved in consequence by Governor Botetourt. Both 
Washington* and Jefferson were members of this Assem- 
bly. These several occurrences illustrate the spirit which 
everywhere prevailed. Feeling was not unanimous on either 
side. The Colonies still had warm and active friends in 
Parliament, who defended their cause with eloquence and 
courage ; while the coercive policy of England had zealous, 
if not always open, sympathizers among the colonists. Yet, 
as the year drew to a close, the determination of England 
to carry its point, and that of the Colonies not to yield, 
grew stronger than ever. 

1.110. March ^. The Boston Massacre. Such, in gen- 
eral, was the posture of affairs, when an ^^^^ March - 
event occurred in Boston which involved Lord North pro- 

bloodshed and provoked new popular in- Psesin Parlia- 

. . ^ ^ ^ merit, attd after- 

dignation. A quarrel took place between -ward carries^ the 
some soldiers and some citizens, in con- repecil of all dii- 
tributing to which, if the latter were ag- ^tte act of 1767, 
gravating, the former were insolent. The except the tax on 
town wasr thrown into a feverish state, ^^^* 
and on the evening of the 5th of March a detachment of 
soldiers and a considerable mob got into close quarters on 
what is now State Street. The passions of all were much 
inflamed, and many very violent words were exchanged. 

* " Our lordly masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing 
less than the deprivation of American freedom. Something should be 
done to maintain the liberty which we have derived from our ancestors. 
No man should hesitate a moment to use arms in defence of so valua- 
ble a blessing. Yet arms should be the last resource." — George Wash- 
ington. 



26 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

The soldiers certainly outraged the populace by their con- 
duct, and the populace as certainly exasperated the soldiers 
by their language. An actual affray ensued, in which the 
soldiers fired on the crowd. Three of the latter were killed 
and eight wounded, two fatally wounded. One of the killed 
was Crispus Attucks, a mulatto, who was a leader of the 
mob. This affair roused the feelings of the people to the 
highest pitch. Upon the following day, in town-meeting 
assembled, first at Faneuil Hall and afterward at the Old 
South Church, they demanded of Governor Hutchinson, 
who had succeeded Governor Bernard, the removal of the 
troops. Their temper was such that the Governor reluc- 
tantly assented. The public funeral of the victims of the 
massacre was attended with great solemnity. Preston and 
several of the soldiers were duly tried ; and it is a striking 
illustration of the generous spirit of the patriots, even in 
this hour of bitter provocation, that John Adams and Jo- 
siah Quincy, Jr., consented to defend them.* Two of the 
soldiers were convicted of manslaughter. 

1770. Septejnber. Intimidating Measures. There 
now reached Governor Hutchinson an order which had been 
issued by the King in council two months before, appoint- 
ing the harbor of Boston the rendezvous of all British ships- 
of-war stationed in American waters, and directing that the 
fortress which commanded it. Castle William, should be 

* "I have little leisure, and less inclination, either to know or to take 
notice of those ignorant slanderers who have dared to utter their ' bitter 
reproaches' in your hearing against me, for having become an advocate 
for criminals charged with murder. . . . Let such be told, sir, that these 
criminals, charged with murder, are not yet legally proved guilty, and 
therefore, however criminal, are entitled, by the laws of God and man, to 
all legal counsel and aid ; that my duty as a man obliged me to undertake ; 
that my duty as a lawyer strengthened the obligation ; that from abundant 
caution I at first dechned being engaged; that after the best advice and 
most mature deliberations had determined my judgment, I waited on Cap- 
tain Preston, and told him that I would afTord him my assistance; but, 
prior to this, in presence of two of his friends, I made the most explicit 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 27 

occupied by the regular troops and put into a state of de- 
fence. The people of Boston regarded this as a fresh out- 
rage, and interpreted it as anew sign of a stubborn purpose 
to force them into submission. 

1771. May. An Outbreak in North Carolina. 
Through the influence of the royal Governor, Tryon, a rep- 
resentative in the Legislature of this Colony, named Hus- 
bands, had been expelled therefrom on charges of conduct 
disloyal to the King, and thrown into prison. The " Regu- 
lators," an organization of the times, resented the act, and 
planned a movement to rescue him. In return, Governor 
Tryon procured an illegal indictment of some sixty of the 
Regulators for disorderly proceedings, and, putting him- 
self at the head of a considerable body of militia, set forth 
on a devastating march in search of the offenders. The 
latter, having law as well as justice on their side, bravely, 
if unwillingly, met the collision thus forced upon them. 
An engagement ensued, Tryon's little army firing the first 
shot. The result was a victory for Tryon. His losses 
were 9 killed and 61 wounded ; those of the Regulators, 
above 20 killed, with a number of wounded not named. 
Tryon followed up his victory with very severe measures. 
The plantations of the Regulators he ruthlessly laid waste. 
For the delivery of either of their leaders, dead or alive, 
he offered a tempting reward. And of the twelve prison- 
ers he had taken in battle seven were hanged. 

declaration to him of my real opinion on the contests (as I expressed it 
to him) of the times, and that my heart and hand were indissolubly at- 
tached to the cause of my country; and finally that I refused all engage- 
ment, until advised and urged to undertake it, by an Adams, a Hancock, 
a Molineux, a Gushing, a Henshaw, a Pemberton, a Warren, a Cooper, 
and a Phillips. This and mi'.ch more might be told with great truth ; 
and I dare affirm that you and this whole people will one day Rejoice that 
I became an advocate for the aforesaid ' criminals,' charged with the mur- 
der of our fellow-citizens." — Letter from Josiah Quincy, Jr., in reply 
to the protest of his father. Memoir, pp. 27, 28. 



28 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

1772-3. The Events of 1772 hastened the culmina- 
tion of difficulties. In wSouth Carolina, a dead-lock had 
come about between the Governor and the Legislature. The 
scattered settlers of the vast territory between the Ohio 
and the Mississippi caught the spirit of their associated and 
organizing brethren at the East, and planted themselves 
firmly in favor of self-government. The Assembly of Vir- 
ginia petitioned the King to permit the discontinuance of 
the slave-trade, with which he had strictly forbidden the 
Governor to allow any interference whatever ; but could 
get no satisfactory reply. In Narragansett Bay, the British 
war-vessel " Gaspee," which had run aground while in pur- 
suit of a packet bound for Providence, was boarded at night 
by a party of patriots and burned. Massachusetts was stirred 
anew by a royal decree that the Governor and judges of the 
province should be supported out of the provincial rev- 
enues, a measuie which the Legislature pronounced a vio- 
lation of the charter. And last, but not least, Boston, under 
the lead of Samuel Adams, procured a union of towns 
throughout the province for correspondence and action, to 
the end of a further and final protest against the authority 
of the Crown, and with reference to a broader union of all 
the Colonies for the same object. In March, 1773, this 
project was taken up with great enthusiasm by the Legis- 
lature of Virginia. Resolutions in favor of a system of in- 
tercolonial correspondence were adopted and sent to all 
the Colonies, with the request that each would appoint its 
own committee for stated communication with that of Vir- 
ginia. "In this manner," says Bancroft, "Virginia laid 
the foundations of our union. Massachusetts organized 
a province ; Virginia promoted a confederacy. "Were the 
several committees but to come together, the world would 
see an American Congress." Rhode Isla.id was the first 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 29 

to follow the example of Virginia, and by May the proposed 
league was perfected throughout New England. 

1773. Troubles over the Tea. In the latter part of 
this year, the contention between England and the Colonies 
was concentrated for the time being into a struggle over 
the importation of tea. It had been determined between 
the King and Parliament that this commodity should be 
exported to America free of tax in England, the tax to be 
collected in the Colonies in the form of what really amounted 
to only an' enforced profit taken out of the consumer. The 
Colonies, refusing to recognize this token of the sovereignty 
of the Crown, were as determined, not only that they would 
buy no tea, but that none should be even landed ; and this 
because they would not for a moment concede the principle 
which the king sought to establish. When therefore it 
became known that the East India Company had shipped 
several cargoes of the " pernicious weed," organized resist- 
ance began. Philadelphia, then the largest city in the 
Colonies, passed a series of appropriate resolutions, and 
requested the agents of the company to resign, which they 
did. Boston adopted the same resolves, and made a simi- 
lar demand upon the consignees of the tea-ships expected 
at that port. This demand was refused. When these ships 
arrived, three in number, every effort was made to cause 
them to return to England, but in vain ; and on the evening 
of the i6th of December a band of 40 or 50 men, disguised 
as Indians, boarded the ships and emptied the entire car- 
goes of tea, amounting to 340 chests, into the bay. This is 
known in history as " the Boston Tea- Party." Information 
of it was at once despatched to other points, and was re- 
ceived by the colonists everywhere with great satisfaction. 
New York resolved to follow suit. The ship bound for 
Philadelphia came within a few miles of the town, when 



so 



PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



the captain learned of the temper of the people, and then 
prudently returned. At Annapolis, a ship and its cargo 
were both burned ; the owner himself, it is said, applying 
the torch in deference to the popular demand. And in 
Charleston, S.C., a cargo was landed, but allowed to perish 
in the cellars where it was stored. 
1774. Further Oppressive Legislation by Parlia- 
ment. Massachusetts, as the leading 
insubordinate among the Colonies, and 
especially for its part in resisting the land- 
ing of the tea, was to suffer further po- 
litical and commercial restrictions. In 
March, Parliament enacted the Boston 
Port Bill ; by which the port was closed 
to all commerce, and the custom-house 
removed to Salem, Bills were also passed 
prohibiting town-meetings except for the 
choice of town officers, or by express leave 
of the Governor ; providing for the 
quartering of the King's troops in Bos- 
ton ; and making Nova Scotia or Great 
Britain the place of trial for persons 
charged with capital offences ; with 
others equally subversive of rights ex- 
pressly conferred by the colonial char- 
ter. Finally, General Gage, Commander- 
in-chief of the British military forces in 
America, was appointed Governor of 
Massachusetts in place of Hutchinson, 
and was sent to Boston to see that the 
foregoing measures were executed. It 
was expected in England that these decided steps, indica- 
tive of a purpose not to be thwarted, would awe the 



1774. Jati. 29, 
Wedderbum 
makes a violent 
speech against 
Franklifi at a 
public hearing 
before the Privy 
Council. 

T774, Feb. 7. 
The King dis- 
misses the petition 
of Massach u setts 
for the removal 
of Gov. Hutchin- 
son and Lieut. - 
Gov. Oliver '■'■ as 
groundless., vex- 
atious., and scan- 
dalous. ' ' 

1774. April. 
Edmund Burke 
and other frteiids 
of the Colonies in 
Parliament vain- 
ly urge a repeal 
of the tax-laxvs. 

1774. May 10, 
Uuis XVI. 
ascends the 
throne of Fratice. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTTON. 3 1 

Colonies into submission. The result was just the oppo- 
site. The resoluteness of the latter was strengthened. 
And both parties began to prepare for the open conflict, 
which it now seemed could not be avoided. 

1774. May\2,\y An Indignation Meeting. News 
of these last measures of Parliament having reached Bos- 
ton, the committees of correspondence representing Boston, 
Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, 
Charlestown, Lynn, and Le.xington, met in Faneuil Hall 
on the 1 2th of May, and in a circular letter to the other 
Colonies proposed a general discontinuance of trade with 
England. The following day, the inhabitants of Boston in 
town-meeting appealed to the Colonies for aid and comfort 
in the straits to which they were now to be subjected. The 
response to this appeal was general, prompt, and hearty. 
South Carolina was the first to substantiate its sympathy 
with actual contributions, shipping 200 barrels of rice in 
June and promising 800 more. North Carolina raised 
;^200o. Delaware agreed to send relief annually. Maryland 
and Virginia showed equal generosity. , While from all New 
England came liberal supplies of provisions for the block- 
aded brethren whom the King proposed to starve into sub- 
mission. Even Canada joined in the general effort. 

1774. The Boston Port Bill went 1774, Jidy. 
into effect on the ist of June. As a re- Maurepas Prime 
suit, all water communication with the ^France' Ver- 
town was cut off, and trade and industry getines Minister 
were in a great degree interrupted. The of Foreispt Af- 

, . ,, , , . fairs. The rela- 

event was sympathetically observed in Uons of France 

Philadelphia by the tolling of bells and to England in- 

the hanging of flags at half mast; and 't^ti^of!^^ 

in Virginia by services of fasting and the cause of the 
praver American Colo- 

■' ' nies. 



32 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

1774. September. Seizure of Powder by General 
Gage. General Gage caused the seizure of a quantity of 
powder which belonged to the province and was kept in 
the outskirts of Charlestown. He also proceeded to fortify 
Boston Neck, notwithstanding the remonstrance of the 
Selectmen. These harsh measures provoked a new storm of 
popular indignation, and were followed by a convention 
of Suffolk County at Dedham, which adopted resolutions 
of great moment, declaring the virtual independence of the 
Colony, recommending a provincial congress, and pledging 
the most determined resistance to the aggressive policy of 
Great Britain. A report of the action of the convention 
was forwarded to the Continental Congress, now on the 
point of assembling at Philadelphia, for its approval. 

1774. September. The Old Continental Congress. 
The summer was occupied in the Colonies with preparations 
for the Congress which New York had proposed and Massa- 
chusetts had summoned. To this the correspondence be- 
tween the towns of the several Colonies very naturally and 
easily led the way. The machinery of independence was 
really set up, and began its work immediately. The Con- 
gress assembled in Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia on the 
5th of September. The number of deputies in attendance 
was 55, every Colony but Georgia being represented. The 
men of that time whose memories we honor were all there : 
George Washington, Patrick Henry, Christopher Gadsden, 
Edward and John Rutledge, Samuel Adams, John Adams, 
Roger Sherman, John Jay, and President Witherspoon of 
Princeton College. Peyton Randolph of Virginia was 
chosen President. Patrick Henry made an opening speech, 
which produced a profound impression. The relative im- 
portance of the several Colonies not being definitely known, 
it was agreed that each should have one vote in all ballot- 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 33 

ings. On motion of Samuel Adams, who was a Congrega- 
tionalist, Rev. Jacob Duche, an Episcopalian, was invited 
to act as chaplain. A Declaration of Rights, and addresses 
to the King and to the Colonies, were adopted. It was 
voted "that this Congress approve the opposition of the 
inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay [see preceding para- 
graph] to the execution of the late acts of Parliament ; and 
if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execution 
by force, in such case, all America ought to support them 
in their opposition." The harmony of deliberations was 
at one time disturbed by a proposition to agree under cer- 
tain circumstances to export no merchandise to Great 
Britain and the "West Indies. South Carolina objected to 
this, as cutting off her shipments of rice ; and, rather than 
assent to it, two of her delegates withdrew from the Con- 
gress. The point was accordingly waived, and the seceders 
returned. The following agreement was unanimously 
adopted : — 

" We will neither import nor purchase any slave imported after 
the first clay of December next ; after which time we will wholly 
discontinue the slave-trade, and will neither be concerned in it our- 
selves, nor will we hire our vessels, nor sell our commodities or 
manufactures, to those who are concerned in it." 

A second Congress was appointed for May following, to 
which Canada and Nova Scotia, as well as all the Ameri- 
can Colonies, were invited to send delegates. The Con- 
gress remained in session until about the middle of 
October ; but it sat with closed doors, and of its debates 
no report was preserved. 

1774. October. A Provincial Congress in Massa- 
chusetts. General Gage had begun his administration of 
affairs by fortifying Boston Neck, and seizing a quantity of 
military stores at Cambridge and Charlestown, which he 
conveyed to Castle William in the harbor. He then sum- 
3 



34 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

moned the Legislature to meet at Salem on the 5th of Octo- 
ber ; but, taking cou^fisel of his fears, countermanded the 
order. The Legislature met, nevertheless ; resolved itself 
into a provincial congress ; and, having adjourned to Con- 
cord, chose John Hancock President, and Benjamin Lin- 
coln Secretary. A communication was addressed to the 
Governor, protesting anew against the measures he had 
come to execute, affirming loyalty to the King, and ex- 
pressing a desire for peace and quietness. General Gage's 
only reply was an admonition to desist. The congress, 
having again adjourned from Concord to Cambridge, paid 
no attention to the admonition, but went coolly and quietly 
forward with preparations for the public defence. Two 
general committees were appointed, one of Safety, the 
other of Supplies. A portion of the militia was ordered 
to be got in readiness for instant service, and the other 
1774. November. New England Colonies were invited to 
The Kins: pro- contribute their quota to the little pro- 
7Z7jnaio- visional army. Artemas Ward and Se.h 
nies ^'- in rebel- Pomeroy were appointed general officers 
^^^^•''' of the troops. 

1774. December. 1774. December 14. Patriotism at 
'S:E:^:hit Portsmouth.. A company of several 
ny of Jamaica hundred men, gathered by drum and fife 
memorialize the j,^ ^y^^ streets of Portsmouth, N.H., pro- 
kino- tn behalf of , , , . , , r 1 
the^ American ceeded to the fort at the mouth of the 
Colonies. harbor, and carried off a large quantity 

1775. Jan. 12. of powder there stored, belonging to the 
The King and province. The next day another party 
Council resolve ^ . , , ^ r 1, • 1 j 
on cutting of all Stripped the fort of all its ordnance and 
commerce with ammunition. 

%S:tp!::J.mn l^S- »r^'"k. Atm. Virginia for 
to the ^'■loyal,^^ Defence. The provincial convention of 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



35 



Virginia assembled in Richmond on the 
20th of March. Patrick Henry offered 
resolutions to put the Colony into a state 
of defence, and appointing a committee 
to superintend the organization of a suit- 
able military force. These resolutions he 
supported in a glowing speech.* What- 
ever opposition to them existed was 
swept away, and they were adopted. 
The measures proposed were promptly 
carried into effect. Governor Dunmore 
retaliated by seizing the powder stored 
at Williamsburg. 



htrt proscribing 
all others as 
rebels. 

1775. Jan. 20. 
The Earl of 
Chatham moves 
in the House of 
Lords for the im- 
mediate removal 
of British forces 
from Boston. 

1775. P<^b- 9- 
Parliament for- 
mally addresses 
the King^ declar- 
ing Massachti- 
setts 171 rebellion. 



III. 



FROM THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND 

CONCORD TO THE DECLARATION 

OF INDEPENDENCE. 



April, 1775 — July, 1776. 



1775. April 19th. The Battle of Lexington and 
Concord. The event which is generally accepted as the 
formal opening of the Revolutionary War j^_-_ April. 
was the encounter between British troops The city of Lon- 
and provincial militia-men at Lexington jt^'ivv^T^W-A 
and Concord successively, on the 19th of the Lorti Mayor., 
April. These villages are respectively « remonstrance 

* "The war is inevitable, — and let it come, let it come! Is life so dear, 
or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? 
Forbid it, Almiphty God ! I know not what course others may take ; 
but, as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." 



36 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

against the about lo and 20 miles north-west of Boston. 

American policy. ^^ Concord, a quantity of military stores 
had been gathered by the Massachusetts Committees of 
Safety and Supplies, and General Gage determined on their 
seizure and destruction. Accordingly, on the night of the 
18th of April, he secretly despatched a force of about 800 
men to perform the service. The suspicious patriots 
quickly took the alarm, and as quickly gave it. Paul 
Revere rode out along the way to alarm the inhabitants.* 
When, at daybreak of the igth, the British reached Lex- 
ington, they found several score of "minute-men" assem- 
bled on the common. Major Pitcairn, commanding the 
advance, rode forward, and with an oath called out : " Dis- 
perse, you rebels, throw down your arms and disperse ! " 
or words to that effect. The minute-men, giving no sign 
of compliance, were then fired upon. Several of them fell, 
killed or wounded. Two or three British soldiers were 
wounded by random shots in return, but no further resist- 
ance was offered, and the expedition proceeded on its way, 
reaching Concord between 7 and 8 o'clock. By this time 
the whole region was alarmed, and from all the surround- 
ing towns men had hurried to the spot. The British at once 

* " Listen, mv children, and you shall hear 
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, 
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five ; 
Hardly a man is now alive 
Who remembers that famous day and year. 

He said to his friend, * If the British march 
By land or sea from the town to-night, 
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch 
Of the North Church tower as a'signal-light, — 
One, if by land, and two, if by sea, — 
And I on the opposite shore will be. 
Ready to ride and spread the alarm 
Through every Middlesex village and farm. 
For the country-folk to be up and to arm." 

Longfellow' s ^' Paul Revere' s KiWe," 



OF THE AMERICAN REV-OLUTION. 37 

set about the destruction of the military stores, at the same 
time taking possession of the two bridges across the Sud- 
bury and Concord rivers, beyond the village, thus to pre- 
vent any advance of the provincials who were gathered in 
considerable numbers on the other side. About the middle 
of the forenoon, the Americans, roused by the work of devas- 
tation proceeding in the village, moved against the force 
which held the "North Bridge" over the Concord River. 
A sharp encounter ensued, the British firing the first vol- 
ley, and the Americans instantly and with spirit returning 
the fire. Several were killed and wounded on both sides. 
The British retired into the village, and about noon the 
entire force set out on its return. The Americans, now 
having the advantage, harassed the invaders at every step, 
and their homeward march proved a disastrous retreat. 
But for the reinforcements which met them at Lexington it 
must have ended in a rout. As it was, their losses in killed, 
wounded, and missing amounted to nearly 300 ; while those 
of the Americans were less than 100. 

1775. April— May. The Uprising. The fight at 
Lexington and Concord was as the blow of a heavy hammer 
upon a piece of heated iron. The sparks flew in every 
direction. The militia of all New England flocked to arms 
and hurried to Boston. Rhode Island offered 1500 men, 
with Nathaniel Greene as their commander. From New 
Hampshire came John Stark, and from Connecticut Israel 
Putnam, each at a moment's notice, each a veteran of the 
Indian Wars, By the ist of May, an unorganized force of 
20,000 men had assembled, encircling Boston and shutting 
up the British within. Not only the men of New England, 
but those of the South, responded with all zeal to the sum- 
mons of war. The heart of the people beat as one, and 
their hands were quickly joined for the common defence. 



38 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

In New York, the royalist government found itself at a 
sudden disadvantage, and the patrioticmasses of the people 
rose in their might to the direction of affairs. New Jersey 
summoned a provincial congress, and pledged itself to 
abide by the acts of the Continental Congress. Pennsyl- 
vania set itself to the organization of the militia. Delaware 
surrendered its military stores to the public use. Virginia 
sprang to arms, and under the lead of Patrick Henry com- 
pelled Governor Dunmore to restore the powder he had 
seized. And in none of the Colonies were bolder and more 
vigorous measures taken than in South Carolina and Geor- 
gia. "Widely removed from the present scene of conflict, 
they yet nobly proved themselves in full sympathy with 
their suffering brethren at the North. 

1775. Alay. Ticonderoga and Cro-wn Point. Early 
in the month, a company of about 170 volunteers from Con- 
necticut, Western Massachusetts, and what is now Ver- 
mont, led by Ethan Allen, marched to Lake Champlain, 
and captured in succession the important forts of Ticon- 
deroga and Crown Point ; a valuable quantity of arms, 
ammunition, and other military stores falling into their 
hands. 

1775. May. The "Mecklenburg Declaration." 
The county of Mecklenburg in the highlands of North Caro- 
lina was populated by a community of sturdy Presbyterians. 
Moved by the address of Parliament to the King in Febru- 
ary previous, and still more by the outbreak of hostilities 
at Lexington and Concord, they now met in formal con- 
vention at Charlotte, and united in a distinct declaration 
of independent rights and powers. A code of county laws 
was adopted, and notification of the step that had been 
taken was forwarded in different directions. 

1775. May 10. The Second Continental Congress 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 39 

assembled in Philadelphia at a very opportune time. Among 
the delegates were John Hancock and Samuel Adams, of 
Massachusetts ; Roger Sherman, of Connecticut ; Franklin, 
who had just returned from England ; and Thomas Jeffer- 
son, of Virginia. The chief acts of this congress were the 
address of a petition to the King, declaring anew the alle- 
giance of the Colonies and reiterating their demand for 
justice ; the formation of a " Federal Union " for the better 
administration of all affairs in which the Colonies had a 
common interest ; the taking of measures for the enlist- 
ment and equipment of an army and navy ; the adoption 
of the volunteers then encamped about Boston as the Con- 
tinental Army ; and the appointment of George Washing- 
ton* as Commander-in-chief. 

* Georere Washin?rtnn was then 43 years of age. In stature he a little 
exceeded six feet. His presence was stately. Few equalled him in 
strength or power of endurance. His complexion was florid, his hair 
dark brown ; his head perfectly round. His dark blue eyes had an ex- 
pression of earnestness almost amounting to sadness. He had grown up 
without the learning of the schools. His culture was his own. He was 
in the strictest sense a self-made man. At 16, he went into the wilderness 
as a surveyor. At iq, he was commissioned an adjutant-general. At 21, 
he went as envoy of Virginia to the Indians and the French in Ohio. 
Fame waited on him from youth. He conducted the first Vnilitary expedi- 
tion from Virginia that crossed the Alleghanies. Rraddock commissioned 
him as an aid. When he was 24, at the request of the Lieutenant-riovernor 
of Maryland, he was appointed second in command of the army designed 
to march to the Ohio. Courage was so natural to him that it was hardly 
spoken of him to his praise. He was as cheerful as he was spirited, 
frank, communicative, and joyous ; liberal without ostentation, kindly 
and compassionate, prodigal of himself, but considerate of others. He 
was prudent in the management of his private affairs, but as a public man 
knew no other aim than the good of his country. His constitution was 
tempered with all the elements of activity. His mind resembled a well- 
ordered connnonwealth In moments of highest excitement, he had the 
power of self-control, and excelled in patience even when he had most 
cause for disgust. In secrecy he was unsurpassed. His understanding 
was lucid, and his judgment accurate. No philosopher of the iSth cen- 
tury was more firm in the support of freedom of reUgious opinion ; but 
belief in God and trust in his overruling power formed the es<;ence of 
his character. He was persevering without being obstinate- His ambi- 
tion was subordinate to his sense of duty. He loved the good opinion of 
his fellow-men, but neither fear of censure nor the prospect of applause 
could tempt him to swerve frora rectitude. It is the greatness of Wash- 



40 



PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



1.11^. June 17. The Battle of Bunker Hill. This 
memorable engagement grew out of the attempt of the 
Americans to fortify Charlestown against the occupation 
of the British; In form the victory fell to the British,* but 
in effect to the Americans. Under cover of the night, an 
expeditionary force of 1200 men, commanded by Colonel 
Prescott, marched from Cambridge to Charlestown Neck. 

One plan had 




Covernorsl. 



Castlel. 



been, it seems, 
to take up a 
posi-tion upon 
Bunker's Hill, 
as one of the 
eminences of 
the Charles- 
town peninsu- 
la was known. 
Prescott in- 
stead moved to 
an eminence a 
little nearer 
Boston, after- 



Boston and Vicinity, 1775. 
ward known as Breed's Hill, and there established him- 
self, his men spending the remainder of the night in 
throwing up a redoubt. The surprise of the British on 
discovering this in the morning was very great, and a 
heavy fire was promptly opened upon it by the ves- 
sels in the harbor. About noon, a body of troops was 
moved across in boats, and preparations were made to 

ington that' in public trusts he used power solely for the public good. 
Never has any man lived who had in so great a degree the almost divine 
faculty to command the confidence of his fellow-men. — Abridged from 
Bancroft^ vol. vli. pp. 393-400. 

* "Two more such victories, and England will have no army left in 
America." — Vergennes. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 41 

capture the redoubt. The first two assaults were re- 
pulsed. The ammunition of the Americans having given 
out, a third proved successful. The Americans retreated 
across Charlestown Neck, leaving the enemy in possession 
of the field. The British had in all about 3000 men en- 
gaged, and their losses were upwards of 1000 killed and 
wounded; the Americans, with not over 1500 men en- 
gaged, lost less than 500. The latter displayed great cour- 
age, and fought with remarkable steadiness, considering 
their inexperience. General Putnam shares with Colonel 
Prescott the honors of the day. Among the slain of the 
Americans was Dr. Joseph Warren, an eminent physician 
of Boston, whose ardent patriotism had brought him into 
the young army, and who had just been commissioned a 
brigadier-general. 

1775. July. "Wa.shington in Cambridge. Less 
than a week after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Washington 
left Philadelphia for Cambridge, to take command of the 
army, which he did with due form on the 3d of July under 
an elm by the Common. The tree stands to this day, and 
is known as "the Washington Elm." Washington found 
a formidable task before him. The force at his command 
numbered about 14,000 men ; unorganized, undisciplined, 
ununiformed, unequipped. Out of this material he had to 
form an army. Congress had elected as major-generals 
Artenlas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel 
Putnam. Horatio Gates was appointed adjutant-general. 
There were eight brigadier-generals ; namely, Seth Pome- 
roy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, 
Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Na- 
thaniel Greene. Saving Montgomery, who was a gallant 
Irishman from New York, these eight were all New Eng- 
land men, three of them from Massachusetts. 



42 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

1115. July. Franklin's Proposal for a Confedera- 
tion. At this time, a plan was submitted to the Continental 
Congress by Franklin for combining the Colonies in a con- 
federation, each Colony to govern itself under its own con- 
stitution, the general government to administer those affairs 
in which all had a common interest. Canada and Ireland 
were to be invited to join in this union. But the Con- 
gress was not yet ready for such a bold and decisive step. 
There were many still who hoped that such an extremity 
might be avoided, that the Crown would recede from its 
position, and that the Colonies might finally be left in their 
old relations to the mother country, in full enjoyment of 
every right and privilege demanded. And the hope of 
some such issue was for a time longer to stand in the way 
of severing the bond which now held the two together. 

1775. September — December. An Invasion of Can- 
ada. This step was authorized by the Congress, chiefly 
with the purpose of heading off an expected counter- 
movement by the British. Two expeditions were organ- 
ized. One, directed by General Schuyler, but really led 
by General Montgomery, went by way of Lake Champlain ; 
the other, commanded by General Arnold, by way of the 
Kennebec and Dead Rivers of Maine. Ethan Allen ac- 
companied the first, and Aaron Burr the second, both as 
volunteers. Various adventures befell the two expeditions. 
Montgomery finally reached Montreal, and took it. Arnold 
reached Quebec, and was presently joined by Montgomery. 
Upon the 31st of December, a brave but unsuccessful assault 
was made upon the city. Montgomery was slain, and Arnold 
was badly wounded. The invading army remained in Can- 
ada through the winter, but finally withdrew, leaving the 
British in undisturbed possession. 

1775. September — December. A Busy Autumn. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 43 

\Vhile Montgomery and Arnold were on their way to 
Canada, both the Colonies and the British continued 
active preparations for the conflict. The Congress reas- 
sembled in September, Georgia being represented for the 
first time. The importation of military stores was author- 
ized ; also the seizure of all ships freighted with stores for 
the British army and navy ; and a committee was appointed 
for secret correspondence with friends of the Colonies in 
Europe. The British Parliament also act- Aiio-i st 

ed with promptness and decision. The France despatch- 

" rebels " were cruelly proscribed. It was ^^ ^ confidential 

. ^ . a^ent to America 

voted to mcrease the army m America to f^ ascertain the 
40,000 men, and negotiations were entered exact conditions 
into with Russia and several German "If.f ^Znief^ 
principalities, for the purpose of obtain- 
ing additional troops by hire. The Empress Catherine of 
Russia declined to let her soldiers for any such purpose, 
but the German princes were less scrupulous, and furnished 
among them several thousand men and a number of able 
generals. Efforts were also made to entice the Indians 
into an alliance against the Colonies, and to obtain re- 
cruits for the King's army from among the loyalists, or 
" Tories." Meantime, General Gage was superseded by 
General Howe as Commander-in-chief in America, and 
the British navy began attacks upon j^^. Lord Ger- 
towns along the New England coast, main [Sackville) 

Newport and Bristol, R.I., were bom- i'^^omes Secretary 

of State for the 
barded, Falmouth (now the city of Port- A^nerican Colo- 
land, Me.) was destroyed, and others '"'^-^5 iinder Lord 
were threatened. American cruisers did 
good service on the coast in intercepting ships carrying 
supplies for the enemy. Two great difficulties attended 
the military movements of the Americans ; namely, the 



44 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

scarcity of ammunition and the short enlistments of vol- 
„ . unteers. It required all the sagacity of 

Parliament pro- Congress and all the skill of the Com- 
hibits the trade of mander- in-chief to keep the men in the 
all the Colonies. /- , j a -^ ^i i i 

field. As It was, the army numbered 

barely 10,000 men at the end of the year, though within' a 
month or two of that time it was somewhat increased. 

1776. yaiitui7'y. Thomas Paine's " Common Sense. " 
Paine was an Englishman. At this time he had been in 
America but very little more than a year, but that period 
had been long enough for him to become thoroughly im- 
bued with the spirit of political liberty. He now wrote a 
pamphlet entitled "Common Sense," in which he ener- 
getically advocated the independence of the Colonies and 
the founding of a republic. This pamphlet immediately 
attained an enormous circulation, and undoubtedly exerted 
a powerful influence in toning up the public mind for the 
step next to be taken. 

1776. Jamiary. Burning of Norfolk, Va. Gover- 
nor Dunmore of Virginia tried to hold his province for the 
Crown, and in a struggle with the patriots for the posses- 
sion of Norfolk caused that town to be set on fire. It was 
totally destroyed, involving a loss of several hundred thou- 
sand pounds.* 

1776. February — May. Measures 
1776. February. , , ^ ,^, ^ , 

Fox moves in the o^ ^^ Congress. The acts of the 
House of Com- Continental Congress during the early 
Inittel^to "^'7n- "months of this year bore a highly impor- 
quire into the ill- tant part in fixing the policy and shaping 

success of his ^}^g course of the Colonies. Military dis- 

Majesty^s arms . , , 

in America.^'' tricts were created ; the paper currency 

* " I hope this and the threatened devastation of otiier places will 
unite the whole country in an indissoluble bond against a nation which 
seems lost to every sense of virtue, and those feelings which distinguish 
a civilized people from the most barbarous savages." — Gen. Washington' 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 45 

was increased to two millions of dollars ; ^ g_ ^^^_ 

Silas Deane of Connecticut was appointed March. Strong 

commissioner to France to solicit aid ; the opposition mani- 

jested tn Farlia- 
fitting out of privateers was authorized ; „igyit to the meas- 
the importation of slaves into any of " the ^^/es of the Min- 
thirteen United Colonies" was prohib- ^ ^^' 
ited ; and the ports of the Colonies were declared open and 
free to the commerce of the world. Benjamin Franklin and 
two others were sent to Canada to invite the people of that 
province to set up an independent government' and join 
the proposed American union. About the middle of May, 
the Congress, yielding to the inspiring leadership of John 
Adams, resolved that the time had now come for suppress- 
ing the exercise of all authority under the Crown, and for 
the people of the Colonies to take the government of their 
affairs into their own hands. This was a decided step in 
advance of any general action that had yet been taken, and 
was one of the more immediate preliminaries to the Dec- 
laration of Independence soon to follow. 

1776. J/<z;r/^ 17. The Evacuation of Boston. The 
British were now prisoners * in Boston, and at the same 
time masters of it. The Old South Church was turned 

* '■'■ Cambridge. January \\. Last Monday evening Major Knowlton 
was despatched with loo men to make an incursion into Charlestown. 
He crossed the Mill-dam, which lays between Cobble Hill and Bunker's 
Hill, about nine o'clock, and immediately proceeded down the street on 
the westerly side of Bunker's Hill ; a part of the men, under the command 
of Captain Kyes, at the same time were ordered to take post on the east 
side of the street, just under the hill, in order to intercept any persons 
who might escape from the houses in the street, sorne of which were occu- 
pied by the enemy. These houses, which were a little without the com- 
pact part of the town, the enemy suffered to remain unburnt in June last, 
for their own convenience. They were now surrounded and set fire to by 
our men. In one of them, they found six soldiers and one woman, all of 
whom, except one refractory fellow, who was killed, were brought off. In 
another of the houses, according to the information of the prisoners, lived 
17 of the enemies' carpenters. As the woman says she went to this house, 
in order to borrow something, just before our men arrived, but seeing no 
light, and not being able to get into that part of the house where they 



46 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

into a riding-school for the cavalry, and F.aneuil Hall had 
been made a playhouse. Congress urged upon Washing- 
ton the taking of the town. The moral effect of such an 
achievement was greatly needed. Washington was dis- 
posed to favor a direct assault. His lieutenants objected. 
It was accordingly determined to occupy Dorchester 
Heights on the south. The movement was skilfully ex- 
ecuted in the night under cover of a heavy cannonade, 
which directed the attention of the British to another point. 
The morning of the 5th of March saw a strong American 
force in fortified possession of the heights. The position 
so commanded Boston and the harbor that nothing was left 
for the British but to fight or to retire. The first impulse 
was to do the former, but the final decision was to do the 
latter. On the 17th of March the evacuation was accom- 
plished. The British troops sailed away in their trans- 
ports, accompanied by more than 1000 inhabitants belonging 
to the party known as " Tories," whose sympathies were 
with England rather than with the Colonies. Washington 
entered the town in triumph the same day, and in due time 
received from Congress a vote of thanks and a gold medal. 
1776. Ap7'il — June. Colonial Action. The growth of 
public sentiment in the direction of independence had been 
very rapid throughout the Colonies. By the light of events 
at Lexington and Concord, at Bunker Hill, at Norfolk and 
at Charleston, the people had found their way well up to the 
advanced ground taken by Samuel Adams and Patrick 

kept, she concluded they were all asleep ; as it is very certain no one 
escaped from the iioiise; and as our men set the building on fire very 
suddenly, — it is thought the whole 17 perished in the flames. We burnt 
ID houses, and brought off 6 or 7 muskets. Three or four houses are still 
standing. The whole was performed in less than one hour, without the 
loss of a single man, either killed or wounded, notwithstanding the enemy 
kept np a considerable fire of musketry from Bunker's Hill." — The New 
England Chronicle^ or The Essex Gazette., Cambridge, January 
11, 1776. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 47 

Henry a long time before, when the for- 1776. May. The 

mer had said : " Independent we are, and ^"'S of France 
* ' determines on a 

independent we will be ; " and the latter : grant of money to 
" We must fight ! An appeal to arms and th^ Colonies. 
the God of Hosts is all that is left us." In April, the 
provincial congress of North Carolina empowered its dele- 
gates in the Continental Congress to " concur with the dele- 
gates of the other Colonies in declaring independency and 
forming foreign alliances ; " and the Chief Justice of South 
Carolina, opening his court at Charleston, declared that 
the King had abdicated government over the Colony, and 
that no further allegiance was due him. In May, the General 
Assembly of Rhode Island passed by a nearly unanimous 
vote an act declaring that Colony absolved from further 
allegiance to Great Britain, and charging its delegates in 
the Congress to favor all measures fitted to secure its in- 
dependence and at the same time to cement and strengthen 
union between the several Colonies. 

1776. June 12. The Action of Virginia. Perhaps 
the most important colonial action which marked this hour 
was that of Virginia, whose convention, in May, by a unan- 
imous vote had instructed its delegates in the Congress 
to propose a declaration of the independence of the United 
Colonies. A platform of rights was now adopted, as setting 
forth the groundwork of American institutions. Some 
of its phrases were these : — 

" All men are by nature equally free and have inherent rights. 
... All power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the 
people. . . . Government is, or ought to be, instituted for the com- 
rnon benefit and security. ... No man ought to be deprived of 
liberty, except by the law^ of the land or the judgment of his peers. 
. . . The freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks oi 
liberty. . . . Religion can be directed only by reason and conviction, 
not by force or violence. 



48 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

Here are the great outlines of the political institutions 
which we enjoy to-day. Patrick Henry, James Madison, 
Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and others of Virginia, 
were their authors. This movement of the oldest of the 
Colonies was quickly communicated to the others ; and 
Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, 
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, act- 
ing, it is true, with different degrees of alacrity, fell into 
line. 

1776. June. An Expedition against Charleston, 
S.C. Early in the year, a considerable British force, com- 
manded by Sir Henry Clinton, had left Boston by water 
for the southward. Its destination was a secret, but was 
believed by the Americans to be New York, Clinton 
touched at that point, and then kept on toward Charleston, 
S.C, the capture of which proved to be the object of the 
expedition. On the way, he was joined by Sir Peter Parker, 
with a squadron fresh from England. The combined forces 
arrived off Charleston in June, and on the 28th made an 
attack on the fort which had been erected for its defence 
on Sullivan's Island. A garrison of 400 men, commanded 
by Colonel Moultrie, offered a valiant resistance ; and the 
British were finally repulsed, with upwards of 200 killed and 
wounded. The losses of the garrison were only about 30. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 49 

IV. 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
June — July, 1776. 

1776. Jtme 7. The Lee Resolutions. Richard 
Henry Lee of Virginia, according to the authority con- 
ferred by the provincial assembly (see p. 47), proposed in 
the Continental Congress resolutions as follows : — 

" That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free 
and independent states ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to 
the British crown, and that all political connection between them 
and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, dissolved ; that 
it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for 
forming foreign alliances ; and that a plan of confederation be pre- 
pared, and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consider- 
ation and approbation." 

These resolutions were seconded by John Adams, and 
their consideration made the special order for the follow- 
ing day. A long and animated debate ensued. Those who 
opposed the resolutions, among whom were Livingston of 
New York, John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, and Edward 
Rutledge of South Carolina, contended that the proposed 
action was premature and inexpedient, and urged their views 
in strong language. The resolutions were, however, skilfully 
keyed to the popular pitch, as represented in the Congress ; 
and the voice of the delegates from Georgia, North Carolina, 
Virginia, and the New England Colonies was strongly in 
their favor. The discussion was prolonged through a 
second day, and ended in an agreement to postpone action 
until some of the delegates could consult with their constitu- 
ents. At the same time, a committee of five was elected by 
4 



50 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

ballot to draw up a declaration that should be in harmony 
with the resolutions. This committee consisted of Thomas 
Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sher- 
man, and Robert R. Livingston. Immediately following 
this, the Congress appointed committees to prepare plans 
of colonial confederation and of treaty relations with 
foreign powers ; created a Board of War ; and resolved : — 

"That all persons abiding within any of the United Colonies, 
and deriving protection from its laws, owe allegiance to the said 
laws, and are members of such Colony." 

1776. Jttly \. The Declaration. On the ist of July, 
the Lee resolutions came up in the Congress for further con- 
sideration. Every Colony was represented, the delegates 
numbering about 50. The resolutions were first taken up in 
committee of the whole, and underwent further discussion, 
in which John Adams, John Dickinson, John Witherspoon, 
and others, participated. Upon the following day, they were 
formally adopted by the Congress, 12 Colonies voting in 
their favor. New York alone did not vote. The next 
step was the consideration of the report of the committee 
on a declaration. The drafting of this important paper had 
been assigned by the committee to Mr. Jefferson,* both as 

* The quality which specially fitted him for the task was the sym- 
pathetic character of his nature, by which he was able to read the soul of 
the nation, and having collected in himself its best thoughts and noblest 
feelings to give them out in clear and bold words, mixed with so little of 
himself, that his country found nothing but what it recognized as its own. 
Born to an independent fortune, he had from his youth been an indefatiga- 
ble student. Of a philosophic cast of mind, calm temperament, always 
temperate in his mode of life, he was a perfect master of his passions. He 
was of a delicate organization and fond of elegance ; his tastes were refined ; 
laborious in his application to business, nuisic was his favorite recreation ; 
and he took a never-failing delight in the beauty of rural life. He was a 
skilful horseman; he also delighted to roam on foot The range of his 
knowledge was very wide ; he was thought to be indifferent to religion; 
yet he believed more than he himself was aware of. His profession was 
that of the law. Whatever he had to do, it was his custom to prepare him- 
self for it carefully ; so that in council men willingly gave him the lead, 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: 51 

having received the larger number of votes and as being 
the representative of Virginia. "From the fulness of his 
own mind," says Bancroft, " without consulting one single 
book, Jefferson drafted the resolution." Having received 
some slight verbal emendations from the hands of Franklin 
and John Adams, it had been adopted by the committee, 
and on the 28th of June formally reported to the Congress. 
Now, on the 2d of July, following the adoption of the Lee 
resolutions, its consideration was in order. In the discus- 
sion which ensued, the document was subjected to consid- 
erable criticism. One or two severe strictures upon the 
policy of the King, especially with regard to the protection 
of the slave-trade, were expunged, but no other changes of 
importance were made. And on the 4th of July, at even- 
ing, by the vote of twelve Colonies now resolved into 
States, New York as before not voting, the immortal paper 
was adopted. It is as follows : — 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, ADOPTED 
BY CONGRESS JULY 4, 1776. 

A DECLARATION BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for 
one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected 
them with another, and to assume anions; the powers of the earth 
the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of 
nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of man- 
kind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them 
to the separation. 

which be never appeared to claim, and was always able to undertake. It 
was a beautiful trait in his character that he was free from envy. By the 
general consent of Virginia, he already stood first among her civilians. .Tust 
33 years old, married, and happy in his family, affluent, with a bright 
career before him, he was no rash innovator: his measures grew so natu- 
rally out of previous law and the facts of the past, that they struck deep 
root and have endured. — Abridged frotn Bancrq/t,\o\. viii. pp. 462-466. 



52 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

We hold these truths to be self-evident : that all men are created 
equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalien- 
able rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
happiness ; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted 
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the 
governed ; that, whenever any form of government becomes de- 
structive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abol- 
ish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on 
such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them 
shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Pru- 
dence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should 
not be changed for light and transient causes ; and, accordingly, all 
experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, 
while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the 
forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of 
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces 
a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, 
it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new 
guards for their future security. Such has been the patient suffer- 
ance of these Colonies ; and such is now the necessity which con- 
strains them to alter their former systems of government. The 
history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated 
injuries and usui-pations, all having in direct object the establishment 
of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts 
be submitted to a candid world : — 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome, and neces- 
sary for the public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and 
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation, till his 
assent should be obtained ; and, when so suspended, he has utterly 
neglected to attend to them. 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of 
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the 
right of representation in the legislature; a right inestimable to 
them, and formidable to tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, un- 
comfortable, and distant from the repository of their public records, 
for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his 
measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing, 
with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause 
others to be elected ; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of 
annihilation, have returned to the people at large, for their exercise ; 
the State remaining, in the mean time, exposed to all the danger 
of invasions from without, and convulsions within. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 53 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States ; for 
that purpose, obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners ; 
refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and 
raising the conditions of new appropriations of land. 

He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing his 
assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure 
of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms 
of officers, to harass our people, and eat out their substance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, with- 
out the consent of our legislature. 

He has affected to render the miUtary independent of, and supe- 
rior to, the civil power. 

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction for- 
eign to^ our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws ; giving 
his assent to their acts of pretended legislation : — 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us ; 

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any 
murders, which they should commit on the inhabitants of these 
States ; 

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world ; 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent ; 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury ; 

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended 
offences ; 

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring 
province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarg- 
ing its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit 
instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colo- 
nies ; 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, 
and altering, fundamentally, the powers of our governments ; 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves 
invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his 
protection, and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, 
and destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercena- 
ries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already 
begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled 
in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civil- 
ized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high 
seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners 
of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. 



54 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has en- 
deavored to bi-ing on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless 
Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished 
destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress 
in the most humble terms ; our repeated petitions have been an- 
swered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus 
marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the 
ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. 
We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts made by 
their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. 
We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration 
and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice 
and magnanimity, and we have conjured them, by the ties of our 
common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would in- 
evitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They, too, 
have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must, 
therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separa- 
tion, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in 
war ; in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of 
America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme 
Judge of the world for the lectitude of our intentions, do, in the 
name and by the authority of the good people of these Colonies, 
solemnly publish and declare. That these United Colonies are, and 
of right ought to be. Free and Independent States ; that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all politi- 
cal connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and 
ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as Free and Independent 
States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract 
alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things 
which Independent States may of right do. And for the support 
of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of 
Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, 
our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 

John Hancock. 

New Hampshire. — Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Mat- 
thew Thornton. 

Massachusetts Bay. — Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert 
Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry. 

Rhode Island, etc. —Stephen Hopkins, Wilham Ellery. 

Connecticut. — Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William 
Williams, Oliver Wolcott. 

New York. —William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, 
Lewis Morris. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



55. 



New Jersey. — Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis 
Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark. 

Pennsylvania. — Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin 
Frankhn, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George 
Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross. 

Delaware. — Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas M'Kean. 

Maryland. — Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, 
Charles Carroll of Carrollton. 

Virginia. — George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jef- 
ferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot 
Lee, Carter Braxton. 

North Carolina. — William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John 
Penn. 

South Carolina. — Edward Rutledge, Thomas Hayward, Jr., 
Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton. 

Georgia. — Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton. 

On the same day with its adoption by the Congress, the 
Declaration of Independence was duly authenticated by 
the President and Secretary, though it did not receive the 
signatures of the delegates till some time afterward.* Thus 




Independence Hall, Philadelphia. 

* It is related that, when the members of the Congress came up to sign 
the Declaration, John Hancock said to the others: " We must be unani- 
mous ; there must be no pullinj different ways ; we must all hang to- 
gether." To which Franklin rejoined : " Yes, we must all hang together, 
or we shall hang separately." 



56 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

it is that the Fourth of July is celebrated as Independence 
Day, and that the present year, 1876, is the Centennial 
Year. The building in which the Congress was holding its 
sessions, now known as Independence Hall, was surrounded 
with an excited crowd, eager to know the result of the 
proceedings within. No sooner had the vote been taken 
than a public signal was given by the ringing of the bell, 
which had been hung in the edifice some years before. This 
bell very appropriately bore the inscription : " Proclaim 
liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants there- 
of." Its sound under these circumstances was hailed with 
acclamations, and the rapid publication of the Declaration 
was everywhere received with demonstrations of great 



V. 

FROM THE DECLARATION OF INDEPEND- 
ENCE TO BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER. 

July, 1776 — October, 1777. 

1776. June — July. The British at New York. 

The necessity to the Colonies of holding New York had 
been obvious from the beginning of hostilities. To a 
considerable degree, the wealth and influence of the city 
were on the side of the Tories. Early measures were taken 

* The official chair of John Hancock, used by him as President of the 
Congress, and the table on which Jefferson drafted the Declaration, are 
now in Independence Hall at Philadelphia. The chair was also used by 
Washington as President of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and 
afterwards served as the Speaker's chair in the national House of Rep- 
resentatives for a great many years. The table likewise was used at the 
Constitutional Convention, and upon it the constitution was signed. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 57 



by Washington to occu- 
py it, and to determine 
the question of its pos- 
session in favor of the 
patriots. When the Brit- 
ish sailed away from Bos- 
ton, it was surmised that 
they would go to New 
York, which they did, 
though by the round- 
about way of Halifax, 
and Washington hurried 
on to receive them. He 
succeeded in putting the 
island in a tolerable state 

r cv 7 of de- 

1776. July. 

France proi'ides lence 

inilitary stores before 



for the United 
States. 



their 



arrival, 
which was at the very 
end of June. General 
Howe landed his troops 
on Staten Island, and his 
fleet filled the bay. 
Here he was to be joined 
by his brother, Admiral 
Howe, with reinforce- 
ments from England ; 
and here was enacted the 
next important scene of 
the war. 

1776. August 2-]. The 
Battle of Long Island. 



WescFc 

FcMiTU- 

gomer 

FtCtutioTt*. 

Haver- 
Straw 



arrywwn 




New York and Vicinity. 
The fortifications which Wash- 



58 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

ington had caused to be constructed for the defence of 
New York included works upon the western extremity 
of Long Island, the territory now covered by the city of 
Brooklyn and its suburbs. For the possession of this 
ground, a battle was fought on the 27th of August, British 
troops to the number of 20,000 or more having crossed 
from Staten Island a few days before. The Americans had 
scarcely a third of that force. They were undisciplined, 
poorly equipped, their generals were without experience, 
and they suffered from various disadvantages. Neverthe- 
less, they fought with great gallantry, and the British chiefly 
owed the victory which they won to the superior strength 
of their battalions. Some misunderstandings among them- 
selves, and consequent confusion, contributed to the ill- 
fortune of the Americans. The losses were comparatively 
heavy on both sides. Finally, under cover of the night 
and by favor of a fog, the Americans retreated across the 
river, leaving the British in possession of the field. 

1776. September— December. The Retreat South- 
ward. As a result of the Battle of Long Island, the 
Americans were soon compelled to evacuate New York, 
the city remaining in the hands of the British from that 
time until the end of the war.* For a time Washington 
succeeded in holding the upper part of the island, but in the 
end deemed it prudent to retire before the advance of the 
British. An affecting incident of this trying period was 
the fate of Nathan Hale, a young and promising American 

* New York at this time had a population of 20,000 or 2 5, 000. Broadway 
•was the principal street There were few buildings above Trinity Church, 
and guide-posts pointed out the " Road to Boston." Broad Street was a 
fashionable avenue, and Wall Street contained the residences of rich 
citizens. There were some ten churches. On the 21st of September, 
only a few days after the city had been abandoned to the British, a dis- 
astrous conflagration broke out, which raged from midnight until nearly 
midday following. All the buildings between Broad Street and the North 
River, for a considerable distance, were destroyed, and several lives were 
lost. The British charged the Americans with incendiarism. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 59 

ofificer, who had volunteered to penetrate the British lines 
in disguise for the purpose of obtaining military informa- 
tion. He was caught and summarily executed. During 
the few hours that he remained in captivity, he was very 
brutally treated, but his last words were : "I only regret 
that I have but one life to lose for my country." The suc- 
cessive steps of the autumn's campaign about New York 
were frequent skirmishings between outposts ; a spirited 
engagement at White Plains, in which the British gained 
a partial advantage ; an assault upon Fort Washington, on 
the banks of the Hudson, which after a brave defence was 
surrendered to the British, with 2000 prisoners ; an aban- 
donment of Fort Lee upon the opposite bank of the Hud- 
son ; and finally a forced withdrawal of all the American 
troops to the Jersey shore and a movement southward, the 
British still in pursuit. These operations seemed generally 
disastrous to the American cause, and their effect was de- 
pressing throughout the Colonies. They were particularly 
trying to Washington, who in addition continued to suffer 
much from the unpardonable apathy and unwarrantable in- 
terference of the Congress, the dishonorable jealousies of 
some of his generals, and the extemporaneous character of 
his army. 

1776. October. The Campaign on Lake Champlain. 
The retirement of the American expeditionary forces from 
Canada to the vicinity of Crown Point had left the British 
troops in that province at liberty to attempt a junction 
with General Howe at New York, by way ^^^g December. 
of Lake Champlain and the Hudson Franklm, Silas 
River. Albany, however, was the imme- I^eaiie., and Ar- 
j. ,. . . rr>.^ ^, thur Lee begin 

diate objective pomt of Sir Guy Carleton, negotiations ijt 

who was in command. Through the sum- Paris for a treaty 
mer he had made extensive preparations ^«'-^''^^^^- 



6o PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

for moving his troops southward by water, and early in 
October his advance began. The Americans under General 
Gates, whose headquarters were at Ticonderoga, took 
corresponding measures to oppose him. A rude naval 
squadron was extemporized under command of General 
Arnold. On the i ith of October, a sharp battle was fought 
on the waters of Lake Champlain. The Americans were 
worsted, but after such a manner that Carleton thought 
it prudent to return to Canada, and postpone further ad- 
vance until spring, 

1776. December. The Capture of General Charles 
Lee. Charles Lee was an Englishman. He was a strange 
compound of the soldier, the politician, and the adventurer. 
He had served in the British army with credit in the French 
and Indian War, and afterwards in several continental 
armies. Failing to receive at home the appreciation which 
he felt he deserved, he came to America again, and iden- 
tified himself with the patriot cause. His talents and 
experience earned for him a generous recognition, and on 
the organization of the continental army he was appointed 
a major-general. At the time of Washington's retreat 
through New Jersey, he was second in command, but had 
failed to render the good and faithful service which was to 
be expected of him. He had a great sense of his own im- 
portance, was a secret backbiter of Washmgton, and as- 
pired to an independent, if not to the supreme, command. 
To his disobedience and dilatoriness during the campaign 
about New York its unfortunate course is to be attributed 
in no small degree. Lee was now (December) in New 
Jersey at the head of a considerable force, but showing no 
disposition to co-operate with Washington. On the con- 
trary, he was rather boastfully bent on an independent cam- 
paign of his own. On the 13th, while lolling in a tavern 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



6i 



at Baskingridge, and just as he had finished a characteristic 
letter to General Gates, the house was suddenly surrounded 
by a party of British scouts, and he was taken prisoner. 
Lee's subsequent career, though he was for a time restored 
to the service, added no lustre to his name. It only ex- 
tended the field for the exhibition of his disagreeable ec- 
centricities, and afforded some occasion for suspicions of 
his fidelity to the cause he had espoused. His capture at 
this time was esteemed a misfortune, but was a blessing in 
disguise, if for no other reason in that it brought riddance 
to Washington of a most unworthy and troublesome rival. 
1776. December 26. The Battle of Trenton. Wash- 
ington's retreat through New Jersey had been kept up un- 
til he had put the 
river Delaware be- 
tween his little 
army and its pur- 
suers. Only the 
lack of boats 
seems to have 
kept the latter 
from crossing and 
continuing the 
pursuit. Howe 
returned to New 
York, but left a 
considerable body 
of German troops 
under Donop and ^^^ J^''^^^- 

Rail to hold Trenton. The situation was a critical one. 
The Congress at Philadelphia thought it prudent to with- 
draw to Baltimore. The army was diminished and dispir- 
ited. But it was the dark hour before dawn. Washing- 




62 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

ton determined on recrossing the Delaware, and attacking 
Trenton. On Christmas night he put this plan in execu- 
tion. Owing to the darkness, the cold, and the quantities 
of floating ice, the passage of the river, which was effected 
by boats, was a matter of great difficulty ; but the move- 
ment was a complete success. The German mercenaries 
were taken by surprise, and after a short resistance they 
surrendered. A thousand prisoners were taken and a val- 
uable quantity of ordnance. The moral effect of this vic- 
tory of the Americans was great beyond proportion. 

1776. December. Measures of the Congress. The 
alarm with which the Congress had adjourned from Phila- 
delphia to Baltimore was dispelled by the victory at Tren- 
ton, and new courage and vigor were infused into its 
counsels. It had already abandoned all hopes of com- 
promise with Great Britain, and now bore witness to the 
determination of the people to prosecute the war to a 
successful termination at every cost. It invested Wash- 
ington with new powers, authorizing him in particular to 
enlist a considerable body of national troops, and to ap- 
point or dismiss officers of the colonial regiments, under 
the rank of brigadier-general, at his discretion. 

1776. Eight State Grovernments. During this year, 
a number of the Colonies had adopted new forms of govern- 
ment, thereby erecting themselves into substantially inde- 
pendent States, and preparing the way for that union which 
was afterward to be consummated. In Rhode Island and 
Connecticut, no greater change of existing instruments was 
needed than the simple displacement of the King's name. 
New Jersey perfected her new constitution in July ; Dela- 
ware and Pennsylvania adopted theirs in September, the op- 
eration of Pennsylvania's being, however, delayed for some 
months beyond that time ; Maryland in November, and 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. d^ 

North Carolina in December. In this general movement, 
Virginia had taken the lead, as before noticed. The re- 
maining Colonies, Georgia,* New York,t South Carolina,! 
Massachusetts, § and New Hampshire,!! followed at subse- 
quent times in the order named.lf 

1777. January 3. The Battle of Princeton. Imme- 
diately after his victory at Trenton, Washington had with- 
drawn his army again across the Delaware. But he was 
now emboldened to attempt the expulsion of the British 
from New Jersey altogether, and in a few days he was 
once more at Trenton. A concentration of all available 
forces there gave him an army of about 5000 men. His 
situation here at once invited the attention of the British, 
who were at Princeton. Led by Cornwallis, they moved 
against him. Skirmishing ensued, and a second battle at 
Trenton was imminent, when by a skilful and energetic 
flank movement Washington withdrew from his position 
under cover of the night, and fell upon Princeton, which 
was still defended by a force about equal to his own. A 
sharp engagement ensued, and victory was saved for the 
Americans chiefly by the personal daring and inspiring 
example of their commander-in-chief. The destitute and 
fatigued condition of his troops prevented Washington 
from following up his advantage to the fullest extent ; but 

* See p. 65. t See p. 65. % See p. 76. 

§ See p. 85. _ II See p. 100. 

IT The age of 21 was universally required by the constitutions of all the 
States as a qualificaton for the ballot ; and, in the case of ten of the consti- 
tutions, no condition of " color" was imposed. Eleven out of the thirteen 
provided for a double-legislative body. Most of them required vary- 
insi property qualifications in candidates for the legislature or the governor- 
ship, and withheld from the governor all share in the making of laws. 
The powers of the latter ofifice were also very much restricted ; all impor- 
tant civil and military positions were to be filled by the legislature. Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut were alone in providing a system of free public 
schools, and Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, 
and the Caroliuas required religious qualifications for office. 



64 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

he had by this time won the sympathy and co-operation 
of the people, and soon came into practically undisputed 
possession of the State. He made Morristown his head- 
quarters for the remainder of the winter. The nobility of 
Washington's character was brought out more impressively 
than ever by the vicissitudes of this campaign.* 

1777. The Early Months of 1777, if not character- 
ized by events of conspicuous importance, witnessed a 
variety of incidents that were closely related to the pro- 
gress and issue of the war. The American and British 
armies lay quietly in their winter quarters in New Jersey ; 
the former with headquarters at Morristown, the latter at 
New Brunswick and Amboy. Advantage of the pause 
in hostilities was taken by the British authorities to open 
negotiations looking toward peace, but on terms to which 
the Americans would not listen. The Congress appointed 
a number of new generals for the army, and its omission 
to promote Arnold inflicted upon his spirit a wound which 

was never healed. General Gates suc- 
1777. February. j j . t 1 1 1 • 1 j 

Frederick of ceeded to Lee s place as the jealous and 

Prussia expresses boastful rival of Washington. Expedi- 
>- ' America' ^^""'^ °^ English troops destroyed valuable 
military stores belonging to the Americans 
at Peekskill on the Hudson and at Danbury in Connecticut, 
the latter feat being followed by a sharp skirmish at Ridge- 

* " Will posterity believe the tale ? When it shall be consistent with 
policy to give the history of that man from his first introduction into our 
service, how often America has been rescued from ruin by the mere strength 
of his genias,conduct,and courage,encountering every obstacle that want of 
money, men, arms, ammunition, could throw in his way, an impartial world 
■will say to you that he is the greatest man on earth. Misfortunes are the 
element in which he shines, they are the groundwork on which his picture 
appears to the greatest advantage. He rises superior to them all ; they 
serve as foils to his fortitude, and as stimulants to bring into view those 
great qualities which his modesty keeps concealed" — Letter of IVilUant 
Hooper, Representative to the Congress from North Carolina, to Robert 
Morris. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 65 

field, in which the marauders suffered severely. A counter- 
movement of the Americans against Sag Harbor on Long 
Island was a brilliant success. Abroad, the English ministry 
responded to General Howe's call for reinforcements, by 
obtaining several thousand more mercenaries from the 
petty German States. In Paris, the American commis- 
sioners, Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, were 
busy in secret negotiations with the French ministry and 
the Spanish ambassador for moral and material aid for the 
struggling Colonies. Neither France nor Spain were yet 
ready for a formal recognition of America as a belligerent 
power and so for open co-operation against England ; but 
"secret succors" were extended to the "insurgents," and 
currents of sympathy set in motion which were afterward 
to bear substantial aid. 

1777. February. The Constitution of Georgia was 
unanimously adopted in convention. 

1777. April. The Constitution of New York was 
adopted in convention specially authorized for the purpose. 

1777. April. Lafayette and Others. The Marquis 
de Lafayette was a young French nobleman and soldier, 
whose heart had been warmed by the tidings from Amer- 
ica. Though but twenty years of age, and representing 
an illustrious family, he determined to devote his personal 
service to the cause of the young nation. A devoted wife 
approved and confirmed his purpose. He was accom- 
panied to this country by a number of steady shipment 
officers, among others the Baron De Kalb ; of stores from 

and his arrival on such a mission, at a ^^^^^^^ *° Amer- 
ica. American. 
time when the prospects of the patriots privateers find 
were so uncertain, was a circumstance of ready refuge in 
, . r French harbors. 

great encouragement and an occasion of England remon^ 

great rejoicing. He was received as an strates. 



66 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

embodiment of that friendly feeling and practical help 
which were so much desired and needed. His appear- 
ance is commonly esteemed "as one of the most promi- 
nent and important circumstances in our revolutionary 
contest ; and, as has often been said by one who bore no 
small part in its trials and success, none but those who 
were then alive can believe what an impulse it gave to the 
hopes of a population almost disheartened by a long series 
of disasters." Lafayette was heartily welcomed by the 
Congress, and at once commissioned a major-general. A 
warm friendship sprang up between him and Washington, 
and his military services proved of the most valuable char- 
acter. Before Lafayette and De Kalb, there had come to 

America, with a like purpose to theirs, 
Earl of Chatham ^he Polish patriot, Kosciuszko, who at 
appears in the present held a commission as officer of 
":TanL^aii ^"g-«- i" 'h' American army; and 
on crutches, and there now soon followed the Count 
etitreais a cessa- Pulaski, also a Pole, whose services 
Hon of hostilities. ,., . , ^ ^ , . 

likewise proved of great value. An- 
other foreign soldier of distinction, who at about the same 
time linked his fortunes with the American cause, was the 
Baron Steuben, a Prussian, formerly an aide-de-camp to 
Frederick the Great and a lieutenant-general in his army. 
Steuben rendered most important services to the Ameri- 
can army as inspector-general, being especially instru- 
mental in the improvement of its discipline. He was no 
less eminent for his fine personal qualities than for his 
military abilities. At the close of the war, he settled upon 
a large estate near Utica, N.Y., where he died in 1794. 

1777. June. The British evacuate New Jersey. 
In the last days of May, the American army broke up its 
winter quarters at Morristown. It now consisted of about 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



67 



7,500 men, embraced in five divisions, ten brigades, and 
forty-three regiments. To it were opposed a force of not 
less than 17,000 trained soldiers ably officered. Howe's 
purposes for the spring campaign, without seeming to be 
very definite, were such as would have brought on a gen- 
eral engagement, had not Washington studiously avoided 
that issue. Washington was too great a general to fight 
when he could accomplish a desired result without fight- 
ing.* A series of strategic movements ensued around 
the very edge of the field of actual conflict, and attended 
by occasional skirmishings. As a result, the British with- 
drew from New Jersey. Throughout these operations, 
Washington's conspicuous military genius and serene and 
lofty temper were displayed with new impressiveness. 

1777. June 14. The Flag. ^ 
While Washington and Howe 
were marching and counter- 
marching their armies in New 
Jersey, the Congress, on the 
14th of June, resolved "that 
the flag of the thirteen United 
States be 13 stripes alternate 
red and white ; that the Union 
be 13 stars, white in a blue 
field, representing a new con- 
stellation." Up to this time, 
a variety of flags had been used, of private or sectional 
design : this is the first recorded national act upon the 

* " We have some amongst us, and I dare say generals, who wish to 
make themselves popular at the expense of others, or who think the cause 
is not to be advanced otherwise than by fighting ; . . • but, as I have one 
great object in view, I shall steadily pursue the means which in my judg- 
ment leads to the accomplishment of it, not doubtino; but that the candid 
part of mankind, if they are convinced of my integrUy, will make proper 
allowance for my inexperience and frailties." — Letter of Washington 
to Reed. 




The Flag of 1777. 



68 



PARAGRAPH HISTORY 




subject. In the flag of 1777, the 
stars were arranged in a circle, 
and it is said that it was first 
displayed by Paul Jones on the 
" Ranger." One star has since 
been added to the "Union" 
with the admission of every new 
State. 

1777. July 4. The First 
Anniversary of the Decla- 
ration of Independence was 
celebrated in Philadelphia by 
the ringing of bells, a public 
dinner, parades, fireworks, and 
a general illumination ; the first 
*' Fourth of July " in the long 
line, whose hundredth number 
is the occasion of such unusual commemoration. 

1777. June — Septembei-. Burgoyne's Advance from 
Canada. About the middle of June, General Bur- 
goyne, having been appointed to the command of the 
British army in Canada in place of Sir Guy Carleton, set 
forth in pursuance of orders to form a connection with 
Howe at New York. He had a fine body of troops, num- 
bering in all towards ten thousand, including a specially 
strong artillery force, some Indian allies, and several highly 
accomplished officers. A part of his army was sent by way 
of Lake Ontario and the Mohawk River : with the rest, 
he proceeded himself by way of Lake Champlain. Ticon- 
deroga, which comrnanded the avenue of his advance, was 
occupied by a detachment of Schuyler's army, number- 
ing several thousand men, under General St. Clair. Out 
of this stronghold the Americans were forced by Burgoyne's 



The Pine-Tree Flag. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 69 



superior tactics, 
and took up a re- 
treat to Fort Ed- 
ward on the Hud- 
son, Schuyler's 
head-quarters. The 
movement cost 
them large quan- 
tities of valuable 
military stores, 
which had to be 
abandoned to their 
pursuers, and some 
lives. Schuyler, in 
place of standing 
to the support of 
St. Clair, retreated 
below Fort Ed- 
ward, and thence 
to the vicinity of 
Saratoga, where he 
was presently re- 
lieved from com- 
mand. While Bur- 
goyne was making 
this triumphant 
progress with his 
main army, the side 
expedition which 
he had sent out 
by way of the west 
met with a repulse 
in a desperate fight 
with the settlers in 




J5eiuizngto 



Lake Champlain and Saratoga. 



70 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

the Mohawk Valley, and came to an inglorious end. This 
entire series of operations was marked by the most fiend- 
ish atrocities on the part of the Indian allies of the British. 
One well-remembered incident was the treacherous mas- 
sacre of a young woman named Jane MacCrea, by two 
savages who were conducting her to the camp of her lover, 
an officer in the British service. 

1777. August 1 6. The Battle of Bennington. The 
Americans had collected valuable stores at Bennington, 
Vt., due east, and not many miles distant, from the point 
now reached by Burgoyne. He determined on their cap- 
ture, and despatched upon that errand, in two successive 
detachments, a force of several hundred troops, chiefly 
Germans, under command of Lieutenant-Colonels Baum 
and Breymann. The New England militia hastened to the 
defence of the threatened point, having for their leader 
General Stark, who before this had retired from the conti- 
nental army. A battle ensued, which was fought in two 
parts, Stark first engaging Baum and then Breymann, and 
defeating them both. The Americans fought with great 
gallantry, and won their double victory at small cost. 
Their conduct was marked by some quaint and amusing 
incidents, which, with their valor, success, and the effect 
of it at such a time, make the battle one of the most 
memorable of the whole war. 

1777. October 17. Burgoyne's Surrender at Sara- 
toga. General Gates, who had succeeded Schuyler, found 
himself in command of about 9000 men, and took up a strong 
position at what was known as Behmus's Heights. Here 
he was met by Burgoyne, and an engagement took place 
on the 19th of September, Great bravery was shown 
on both sides ; but the result was indeterminate, unless 
measured by the losses, which to the Americans were 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 7 1, 

about 300, to the British more than double that number ; 
while the British were certainly left in the more danger- 
ous situation of the two. To add to their embarrassments, 
their communications with Canada had been cut off by a 
party of Americans who had penetrated their rear. For 
several weeks, the two armies remained watching each 
other, Burgoyne meantime drawing some encouragement 
from a diversion which General Clinton had undertaken 
in his favor from New York, theresult of which was the 
capture from the Americans of Forts Montgomery and 
Clinton on the Hudson, just below West Point, thus prac- 
tically opening the river to Albany. The neglect of Clinton 
to follow up this advantage alone enabled Gates to follow 
up that which he had won. Gates received reinforcements. 
Burgoyne's force was constantly diminishing, his supplies 
were giving out, and his communications were interrupted. 
Under these circumstances, he planned a fierce attack upon 
the American position (October 7). It was repulsed. A 
general engagement was brought on. The Americans 
gained at every point. Night alone saved the British 
from a rout. The morning found them in retreat to Sara- 
toga, a few miles distant. The Americans followed, and 
by the 12th of the month had their, camp quite invested. 
Burgoyne, sustained by his lieutenants, opened negotia- 
tions for surrender, and the articles were signed on the 
17th. Six thousand or more prisoners thus fell into the 
hands of the Americans, beside immense quantities of 
military stores. So was practically destroyed the British 
army of the North, and with it ended the war, so far as 
New England territory was concerned. 



PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



VI. 



FROM BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER TO 
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1779. 

October, 1777 — December, 1778. 

1777. July—Nmjember. The Philadelphia Cam- 
paign. Upon retiring from New Jersey, General Howe 
turned his attention to Philadelphia, for which point, hav- 
ing embarked an army of some 17,000 men in transports, 

he set sail in 
July. Find- 
ing the Del- 
aware in 
possession 
of the Am- 
ericans, he 
proceeded 
up the Ches- 
apeake, and 
landed at the 
head of that 
great estua- 
ry. In the 
mean time, 
Washington 
with his ar- 
my, which 
at this time 
never ex- 




Tt. Mercer 



JERSEY. 



Philadelphia and Vicinity. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 73 

eeeded 12,000 men, had marched by land to meet him, and 
advanced a little beyond Wilmington. Here, on the 3d 
of September, began the struggle for the possession of 
Philadelphia. Skirmishing between the outposts speedily 
ran into a battle, which was fought on the nth, on the 
banks of Brandywine Creek. Washington's movements 
were crippled by the incapacity, or worse, of some of his 
lieutenants ; and his army was defeated with the loss of 
about a thousand. The British loss was about half as 
large. This defeat of the Americans opened the way for 
the British army to occupy Philadelphia, which was done 
on the 26th. The main body was encamped in the suburb 
of Germantown. The Congress had previously withdrawn 
in some alarm to Lancaster. 

1777. October 4. The Battle of Germantown. The 
temporary weakening of Howe's army by the sending of 
detachments for work elsewhere tempted Washington to 
essay an attack upon it in its camp at Germantown. The 
movement was carefully planned, and undertaken with 
great courage and vigor at daybreak on the 4th, but 
failed through lack of co-operation on the part of sub- 
ordinate officers. The attacking force lost its unity, its 
fragments fell into some confusion, and after a brisk en- 
gagement of short duration a retreat was ordered. 

1777. October 22— Nero ember 16. The Forts on the 
Delaware. The British followed up their gains at Bran- 
dywine Creek and Germantown by moving against Forts 
Mercer and Mifflin, two fortifications on the Delaware, a 
few miles below Philadelphia, held by the Americans, and 
commanding the river approaches to the city. Fort Mer- 
cer was attacked by them first, and both finally fell into 
their hands, though defended with great valor. In the 
capture of the former, Count Donop, a German officer of 



74 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

1777. November, distinction, lost his life* Taken alto- 

./^ft&rS g-'her, General Howe's Philadelphia 

Earl of Chatham campaign had been externally a success, 

lifts up his voice but in some aspects of it the American 

anew against r 1 1 , , . 

a continuance of found much encouragement ; and this, 

the ivar.\ added to the moral effects of the triumph 

of the northern army, went far toward offsetting any actual 
reverses. 

1777. November!^. Confederation. While military 
movements were thus progressing, the Congress was at 
work shaping the civil policy of the new nation. From 
Lancaster it removed after a few days to Yorktown, and 
there on the 15th of November adopted articles of "Con- 
federation and perpetual Union." These were submitted 
to the several States, and their approval of them solicited. 
The distinguishing principle of this early scheme of organ- 
ization was its careful reservation to each individual State 
of its own complete sovereignty. The time was not yet 
ripe for the merging of separate authorities into a central 
government, thereby compacting the States into an organic 
union. This remained to be accomplished by the adop- 
tion of the national constitution a number of years later. 
Towards that result, however, the confederation was to 
lead the way. The peoples of the several States needed 
perhaps to get accustomed to their several identities be- 
fore taking a public stand as " the people of the United 

* " I die the victim of my ambition, and of the avarice of my sove- 
reign." — Donof s last -words. 

t " You may swell every expense, accumulate every assistance you 
can buy or borrow, traffic and barter with every pitiful little German prince 
that sells and sends his subjects to the shambles of a foreign prince : your 
efforts are for ever vain and impotent, doubly so from this mercenary aid 
on which you rely, for it irritates to an incurable resentment. If I were 
an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed 
in my country, I never would lay down my arms; never, never, never." 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 75 

States." Therefore the latter phrase was allowed no place 
in the articles of confederation. Nor were these articles 
even adopted by all the States, until after a delay of nearly 
four years. 

1777-1778. The Camp at Valley Forge. In the 
early part of December, General Howe sought to bring on 
a general engagement at Whitemarsh, a 1777. December. 

few miles out from Philadelphia. But News of Bur- 

goyne^s surren- 
Washington, though he had received der reaches Lon- 
some reinforcements, declined the chal- don aiid Paris. 
lenge, and took his army into winter i,rfhe7Jt'ler%. 
quarters at Valley Forge. This was a Lord North pros- 

secluded and sheltered spot on the Schuyl- Crated and the 
'^ . •; opposition to the 

kill, about 20 miles from Philadelphia. Ministry greatly 
The soldiers made themselves log huts strengthened. 
from the surrounding forest, but they were destitute of 
proper food and clothing, and their sufferings through the 
winter were very great. The condition of the sick especially 
was pitiable. Meanwhile, the British were very comfort- 
ably established in Philadelphia, and passed their time in 
pleasurable ways. 

1778. The Conway Cabal. The lull in military 
movements gave space for a greater play of the envyings and 
jealousies which in busier times had been 1778. January. 
kept in a measure beneath the surface. Frederick of 
^ . a ..-1 u r..ur- Prussia expresses 

Some influential members of the Congress ^ desire that the 

were more or less distrustful of Wash- efforts of America 
ington, complained of him for no. dis- tZ^ZtTei 
playing greater activity in the field, and -with complete 



success. 



by various things which were done, or 
not done, actually and unwarrantably interfered with his 
conduct of affairs. The insubordinate spirit which some 
of his lieutenants had previously manifested now deepened 



76 



PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



into an organized intrigue to remove him from the chief 
command. He was unfavorably com- 
pared with Gates, to whom were commonly 
ascribed the great successes of the north- 
ern army. An officer named Conway 
was prominent in this movement, whence 



1778. February, 
The American 
commissioners in 
Paris conclude a 
treaty of friend- 
ship and com- 
merce between 



the United States it is known as the Conway Cabal. Wash- 



and France. 



1778. March. 
The English Par- 
liament adopts 
acts renouncing 



ington's feelings were sorely wounded by 
the studious affronts which were put 
upon him, but he bore them with great 
meekness, and steadily pursued what he 
the exercise of the conceived to be his duty with unfaltering 
imeXTnCoL P^^P^s^ and a noble spirit. _ The intrigue 
nies., and author- proved abortive, and Washington's name 
izing the sending ^^g Jqj^„ since vindicated from the as- 
of commisstoners . , . , ,- 

to treat for recon- persions which were then ungenerously 
ciliation. Friend- cast upon it. 

1778. March. The Constitution of 
South Carolina was permanently es- 
tablished by act of the Legislature. 
Clark's Expedition. The movements 
of Spain and of the English, both with reference to 
the Mississippi Valley and to the great 
territory between it and the Ohio, to- 
gether with the temper of the Indians, 
menaced the American settlements 
throughout that region. Under the au- 
thority of Virginia, and with some degree 
of secrecy, an expedition was organized early in 1778 
by George Rogers Clark, for the purpose of confirming 
the settlers in possession, and extending the jurisdic- 
tion of the United States in that direction. The expe- 
dition was conducted with great courage and skill, and 



ly relations be- 
tween France 
and England 
suspended. 

1778-1779. 



1778. March. 
The American 
commissioners.^ 
Franklin.^ Deane.^ 
and Lee, present- 
ed at the Frettch 
court. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 77 

in large measure accomplished its purpose. This back- 
woods campaign, which lasted more than a year, if not 
strictly a part of the Revolutionary War, was very inti- 
mately related to it both in the motives of patriotism by 
which it was prompted, and in the results with which it 
was followed. 

1778. April— June. Foreign Relations. With the 
coming of spring, there seemed a brightening and softening 
of the political skies for the Americans. 1778. April. 

Early in May, the treaty which had been '^^^"^ debate in 

. , , . , -.^ . ^ , , the House of 

negotiated with France was ratified by Lords over the 

the Congress. This treaty substantially motion of the 

pledged France to the support o£ the f:^'/lftt,on 

United States in their contest with Great the war, and re- 

Britain. At this same time, commissioners ^"^^ ^^'^ "^"^y ^'^^ 
J. T- , , , . . navy for home 

from England were on their way to Amer- defence. The 

ica, to attempt an amicable adjustment of E^rl of Chatham. 

difficulties on the basis of the acts passed Tn' ^"iJ"""^ 

^ puoltc appear - 

by Parliament in March. As early as ance. 

April, the Congress, apprised of the action taken, re- 
solved "to hold no conference or treaty with any commis- 
sioners on the part of Great Britain, unless they shall, as a 
preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies, 
or in positive and express terms acknowledge the independ- 
ence of the States." Early in June, the 1778. June. 
commissioners arrived in Philadelphia, Hostilities between 
and sought to open correspondence with frincfarefeg^in 
the Congress and with individuals in by a naval en- 

the prosecution of their mission. The <^^''^\t'^r off the 

. f west coast of the 

mission was a failure. latter. 

1778. June 22>. Battle of Monmouth. The military 

operations of the summer opened with the evacuation of 

Philadelphia by the British, in pursuance of orders to 



78 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

proceed to New York. Sir Henry Clinton had succeeded 
General Howe in command. Washington followed the 
retreating army in its march across New Jersey towards 
Sandy Hook. At Monmouth, he overtook it, and deter- 
mined on giving battle. As had been the case so often 
before, he was again balked by one of his own generals, Lee, 
who failed at a critical juncture of affairs to render the ser- 
vice expected of him. The result was almost a defeat for 
the Americans, whose loss was upwards of 200. But the 
British lost twice that number, while the desertions from 
the latter during their march across the State numbered 
nearly a thousand more. For his conduct on this day, 
General Lee was court-martialed, and suspended from the 
service for a year. For a subsequent offence, he was dis- 
missed altogether; and in 1782 he died in Philadelphia. 

1778. July 3, 4. The Massacre of Wyoming. An 
expedition of Tories and Indians fell upon the unprotected 
settlement of Wyoming in a beautiful part of the valley of 
the Susquehannah, in Pennsylvania. Resistance was offered, 
but in vain. The settlers — men, women, and children — 
1778. July. were mercilessly butchered, houses were 

Naval battle burned, crops were destroyed, and the 



^■^^ ,^wrv tjl€ P't'i. P"^ 

Tish ~and French whole valley was rendered desolate. This 
fleets off Ushant. was one of the most frightful tragedies in 
all American history. 

1778. The French Fleet. France followed up its 
alliance with the United States by sending over a war fleet 
of some 15 vessels, under the Count d'Estaing, to co- 
operate against the British. It arrived in the Delaware 
early in July, and, having established communications with 
the Congress, followed on after Admiral Howe. The fleet 
being unable to enter the harbor of New York, a combined 
movement by land and sea was undertaken upon Rhode 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 79 

Island, which the British were now holding in force. New- 
port was selected as the point of attack, and the loth of 
August as the time. From various causes, the expedition 
was a failure. At Quaker Hill, on the 29th, there was an 
engagement between the land forces, which ended as it 
began with a retreat of the Americans. Not long after 
this, Admiral Howe relinquished the command of the British 
squadron to Admiral Byron (the grandfather of the poet), 
and Count d'Estaing sailed away with his fleet to the West 
Indies. 

1778. December. "Winter Quarters. The American 
army now went into winter quarters in a series of camps 
extending from the Connecticut shore of j^^^ December 
Long Island Sound, in a great sweep, to Hostilities pro- 

the Delaware River. West Point was Py^^ between the 

iLnglish and the 
mcluded in the line. Washington had French in both 
his headquarters at Middlebrook, N.J. the East and the 
The British remained in force at New 
York. 



VII. 

FROM THE CAMPAIGN OF 1779 TO THE 
TREASON OF BENEDICT ARNOLD. 

January, 1779 — September, 1780. 

1778. December. The Invasion of Georgia. What 
is here termed the Campaign of 1779 began in reality in the 
latter part of the December preceding, when the British 
forces entered on operations at the South with a move- 
ment upon Savannah, the capital of Georgia. An army of 
from two to three thousand men, under Lieutenant-Colonel 



8o PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

Campbell, was despatched from New York late in Decem- 
ber. A landing was effected, and on the 29th an engagement 
ensued. A brave resistance was offered by a small body 
of Americans, commanded by General Robert Howe ; but 
it was in vain. The town fell into the hands of the in- 
vaders, together with considerable quantities of military 
stores. The fall of Savannah was speedily followed by 
that of Sunbury, another military post, and then by that of 
Augusta ; the entire State thereupon coming under British 
1779. February control. These successes of the British 
—May. The -west ^^^^ followed by an unsuccessful move- 
coast of Africa , ^, , r> ^ , 

and the Channel ment agamst Charleston, S.C, though 
Islands in turn not until there had been a change of com- 



manders on both sides ; General Prevost 



the scefte of con- 
flict between Eng- 
land aiid France, succeeding Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, 

and General Benjamin Lincoln General Howe. 

1779. May — July. Ravaging Expeditions at the 

North. While with one hand the British thus secured a 
grasp upon the comparatively feeble southern section of 
the country, with the other they began to ravage districts 
at the North. One expedition, sent out from New York 
in May, fell upon Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va., and de- 
vastated the entire region, plundering and violating with- 
out scruple, and destroying a vast amount of valuable 
^ private and public property, including 

Spain declares more than a hundred vessels. Another, 
war against jn June, went up the Hudson, and wrested 

Great Britain, , ^i « • ^^i ^ •^^. 

from the Americans the two military posts 

of Stony Point and Verplank's Point, both of great im- 
portance as commanding the lines of communication at 
that time between New England and the Middle States. 
In July, still another was sent out into Connecticut, and 
the towns of New Haven, East Haven, Fairfield, Green 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 8i 

Farms, and Norwalk, were given up to pillage and destruc- 
tion. Buildings of every description were burned, the in- 
habitants were plundered, and not a few of them were put 
to the sword. 

1779. July t6. The Recapture of Stony Point. 
This achievement, one of the most brilliant of the war, 
was planned by Washington, and executed by General 
Anthony Wayne — otherwise known as "Mad Anthony" 
— at the head of about a thousand picked men. The posi- 
tion, a very strong one naturally, had been rendered doubly 
so by the British since they had gotten possession of it, 
and it was deemed well-nigh impregnable. Wayne took 
it at the point of the bayonet in a night assault, losing not 
more than a hundred of his men ; while all of the British 
force of 600, not killed or wounded, were taken prisoners.* 
The position was afterward relinquished. 

1779. Other Events of the Summer. The sum- 
mer wore away without bringing decided and permanent 
advantage to either side. In August, Major Henry Lee 
of Virginia, better known as " Light-horse Harry," copied 
Wayne's exploit by a daring night attack on Paulus Hook, 
now Jersey City, taking 150 prisoners. General Sullivan 
occupied several months in an expedition against the In- 
dians in the interior of the State of New Aueusi 
York, engaging them on the 29th of Au- T/ie Englhh 
gust at Newtown, now Elmira, in what coast menaced by 
• 1 1 -r. 1 r 1 ^, the fo7'iiiiJaoIe 
IS known as the Battle of the Chemung. co7nbined fleets 
An unsuccessful attempt was made in of France and 
July and August to dislodge a British ^Z^^'^- 
force which had established itself at Castine at the mouth 

* "The conduct of the Americans upon this occasion was highly 
meritorious, for they would have been fully justified in putting the garri- 
son to the sword, not one man of which was put to death but in fair 
combat." — Stedman, an English historian. 

6 



82 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

of the Penobscot River, in Maine. Massachusetts fitted 
out the expedition, which was, however, poorly handled, 
and failed of its object. 

1779. September 23. John Paul Jones. Of two 
events which distinguished this period, one was a naval 
1779. At this battle in the North Sea, in which John 
Juncture E}ig- Paul Jones acquired great fame. Jones 
land^s displeas- ^^g ^ Scotchman, who had entered the 
tire becomes ex- 
cited toward Hoi- colonial naval service at the outbreak of 
land, for favors the war. He had made several success- 
sfwwn to France. - , . . . , , 

ful cruises, and was now m command of 

a squadron of several vessels. His own ship was the 
" Bon Homme Richard," an old Indiaman, which had 
been fitted out for war service at L'Orient, a port of Brit- 
tany, On the 23d of September, off Flamborough Head, 
a British fleet of merchantmen Avas descried under con- 
voy of two men-of-war, the " Serapis " and the '* Countess 
of Scarborough." Jones ordered a pursuit, and gave battle. 
A very hot action ensued, at close quarters. The *' Sera- 
pis " was captured ; and the " Richard," having been aban- 
doned, went down. The " Countess of Scarborough " 
likewise surrendered, and Jones carried off his prizes in 
triumph. 

1779. October 8. The Attack upon Savannah. 
The second of the two events represented as particularly 
distinguishing this period was the unsuccessful attempt 
of the Americans to retake Savannah. The Count d'Es- 
taing joined with General Lincoln in the attack. Siege 
was laid to the town, and on the 8th of October an assault 
was ordered. After an hour's desperate fighting, the assail- 
ants were repulsed, and retired with a loss of several hun- 
dred men. Among the mortally wounded was the Count 
Pulaski, who fell while gallantly leading his men. Soon 
after this, D'Estaing returned with his fleet to France. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. %Z 

1119. December. The Army in "Winter Quarters. 

Again the American army went into its winter camp in 
New Jersey, with headquarters at Morristown. The win- 
ter set in early, and proved one of great severity. The 
soldiers were exposed to renewed hardships and suffer- 
ings. Their pay was sadly in arrears. Such money as 
was in circulation was almost worthless. Supplies were 
irregular and insufficient. Meat was often wholly lacking. 
The medical department was without delicacies of any 
kind. No organized sanitary or Christian commission 
ministered to the wants of camp and hospital. Yet the 
patriotic people of New Jersey contributed generously of 
their substance toward the support of their defenders, and 
the women kept their needles busy supplying them with 
clothing and other comforts. 

1779. The Finances. We may here notice the finan- 
cial question, which from the outset had been one of the 
most serious with which the country had had to deal. Its 
difficulties spread themselves out over the whole period 
of the war, but were never graver than now. Very early 
in their history, the Colonies had issued paper money and 
made it legal tender. About 1750, such issue had been 
forbidden by Act of Parliament ; but the money neverthe- 
less remained in circulation, and was received at the 
respective treasuries. It was, however, considerably de- 
preciated. At the time when England was beginning to 
push her oppressive policy the hardest (1767), sterling 
exchange in Massachusetts was worth about 133; in New 
York, 175; in Pennsylvania, 160; in Virginia, 125; and in 
North Carolina, 145. With the commencement of actual 
hostilities, relatively immense expenses were of course 
created. To a considerable extent, each Colony assumed 
the cost of equipping and maintaining its own troops. 



84 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

The Congress had no power to impose taxes, but could 
only make "requisitions " on the States, which sometimes 
were honored and oftener not. For such moneys as the 
Congress had to raise, it was obliged to resort to other 
measures. The lottery was authorized, and efforts were 
made to obtain loans or grants from France and Spain 
and other European nations. These means were only 
partially successful. The Congress was early brought to 
the necessity of issuing paper money of its own in addition 
to the large amount already in circulation by the Colonies. 
The country became flooded with this currency, and its 
depreciation followed as a matter of course. This de- 
preciation was helped forward by an extensive system of 
counterfeiting, which the British government authorized 
and encouraged. In March, 1778, when about $9,000,000 
of paper money was in circulation under act of Congress, 
it took $1.75 to equal $1.00 in specie. At the beginning of 
1779, the amount in circulation had increased to upwards 
of $100,000,000, and its value decreased to \2\ cents on the 
dollar. By the end of the year, the $100,000,000 had been 
increased to $200,000,000, and the rate fallen to 2\. Be- 
fore the end of the war, the paper currency came to be 
worth nothing, and ceased to circulate altogether.* 

1779. Plans for Peace. The pause in the war at the 
North during the winter of 1778-9, together with the atti- 
tude maintained by France and Spain, and the supposed 

* " The Congress is finally bankrupt ! Last Saturday, a large body of 
the inhabitants, with paper dollars in their hats by way of cockades, 
paraded the streets of Philadelphia, carrying colors flying, with a Dog 
Tarked; and, instead of the usual appendage and ornament of feathers, 
his back was covered with the Congress paper dollars. This exanip e of 
disaffection, immediately under the eyes of the rulers of the revolted pro- 
vinces, in solemn service at the State House assembled, was directly 
followed by the jailer, who refused accepting the bills in purchase of a 
glass of rum, and afterwards by the traders of the city, who sluit up their 
shops, declining to sell any more goods but for gold or silver." — Riving- 
ton s Gazette (New York, Tory), May 12, 1781. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 85 

temper of Great Britain, encouraged the Congress to think 
that perhaps the end of hostilities might be at hand, and 
set it to deliberating as to the terms upon which peace 
might be had. The question was a complicated one, 
viewed in any aspect ; and its difficulties were enhanced by 
the claims and expectations of the European powers. The 
Congress, of course, would take no plan into consideration, 
which did not have as its basis the entire independence of 
the United States. This point being settled, what should 
be the boundaries of the new nation ? Spain was covetous 
of Florida, and was disposed to insist on the control of the 
valley of the Mississippi. Both Spain and France objected 
to the acquisition by the United States of the territories of 
Canada and Nova Scotia, and were at the same time de- 
sirous that the broad region beyond the Ohio River should 
be ceded to Great Britain. The coast fisheries, too, pre- 
sented a perplexing problem. They might with some de- 
gree of justice be claimed by both the English and the 
Americans. The Congress, in the maintenance of its own 
views, was embarrassed by its wish to cultivate the good- 
will of Spain, and still more by its actual alliance with 
France. After various conferences and discussions, ex- 
tending through the greater part of the year, it was re- 
solved to appoint ministers to negotiate treaties with Spain 
and England ; and John Jay and John Adams were respec- 
tively chosen to act in concert with Franklin to that end. 
Only the most general conditions of peace, however, had 
been projected ; and the peace itself proved more distant 
than had been supposed. 

1780. The Constitution of Massa- \'j%o. Jamtary. 
chusetts, the framing of which had been The English 
J . J 1 , rr . J • seize a Dutch 

proposed m 1777, and duly effected m pet in the Chan^ 

1779, was approved by the people and nel, suspected of 
went into effect. carrying goods 



S6 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

contraband of 1780. May. The Capture of Charles- 

ZnrS^' t°^^' S-C. The British now began a 

„ „ new series of operations at the South. 
1780. Russia, ^ 

Denmark, and Just at the junction of the old year with 

Sweden unite in the new, Sir Henry Clinton sailed from 

"^^itZfnenttl- ^ew York with several thousand men, 

zVjv," in which and on reaching Georgia at once organ- 

other nations of j^ed a movement against Charleston, 

Europe join, hav- ^ ^ ^, , , . . 

i7ig for its object ^•^- Charleston was at this time a 

the protection of prosperous and wealthy town of about 

%m'BritisTin- \5'°°° inhabitants, occupying an exposed 

terference. situation, and defended by General 

1779-178^. The Lincoln's army of less than 2000 men. 

siege of Gibraltar, Clinton had io,ooo men, was reinforced 

E}ieland holding -.mi rr- ■ ■, 

the fortress ^" April by 3000 more, was efficiently 

against Spain supported by a fleet under Admiral 
and France. Arbuthnot, and had the co-operation of 

such lieutenants as Cornwallis and Tarleton. After various 
preliminaries, Clinton laid regular siege to Charleston, and 
early in April had it completely invested. The batteries 
then opened fire upon the town, and a direct and bloody 
assault was only avoided by a capitulation, which was 
agreed to on the 12th of May. The garrison not only, but 
the townsmen also, were counted in as prisoners, and the 
property of the people generally was confiscated. The 
capture of Charleston was followed up by other energetic 
measures in different parts of the State, so that by June 
Clinton considered the province in subjection, and returned 
to New York with a portion of his army, leaving the re- 
mainder behind with Cornwallis in command. 

1780. June. An Expedition into Nevr Jersey. 
The news of the fall of Charleston, travelling northward, 
found Washington's army coming out of winter quarters 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 87 

not 4000 strong ; and encouraged Knyphausen, who had 
been left by Clinton in New York, to attempt an expe- 
dition into New Jersey. He penetrated to Connecticut 
Farms, where Mrs. Caldwell, the wife of the patriotic 
Presbyterian minister, was brutally shot by one of his men 
and the church and other buildings were burned. A brisk 
skirmish between the invaders and some scattering Ameri- 
can troops ensued at Springfield; where again there was 
an engagement of greater dimensions on the 23d of June 
between a second expeditionary force of British, sent out 
bv Clinton himself, and the Americans under Greene 
Here the British seem to have had an opportunity which 
thev neglected to make the most of. 

1780 7«/r. Arrival of French Reinforcements. 
A hurried visit of Lafayette to France during the months 
now immediately preceding, together with the favorable 
representations of D'Estaing, resulted in the sending to 
America of a second French fleet, conveying some 6000 
troops, and commanded by Count Rochambeau. Great 
expectations were raised by its arrival, but almost simul- 
taneously heavy reinforcements were received by Sir Henry 
Clinton, and nothing of importance followed. 

1780. August-September. The Treason of Benedict 
Arnold There now occurred an event which by reason of 
its dramatic features and affecting interest occupies a soli- 
tary place of painful prominence in the history of the war. 
General Arnold, who had served with gallantry atTiconde- 
ro-a and Crown Point,in Canada,and in other campaigns,had 
be°en court-martialed and reprimanded by the Commander- 
in-chief for misconduct while in command at Philadelphia 
in 1778-79; during which time he was also in treasonable 
correspondence with the enemy. In August, he was trans- 
ferred at his own request to the command of West Point 



88 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

and the surrounding posts ; as it afterward appeared in 
pursuance of a secret plan between him and Sir Henry 
Clinton for a surrender of the position to the British. For 
this service, he was to receive the sum of ;i^ 10,000 and a 
brigadier-general's commission in the King's army. In 
order to complete the negotiations, a personal interview 
was arranged between Arnold and Major Andre, Clinton's 
adjutant-general. This took place on the 21st and 22d of 
September, at a point on the west bank of the Hudson not 
far from Haverstraw. Andre, who had come up from New 
York by water, was obliged to return by land, first crossing 
the river and going down the east side. Just above Tarry- 
town, he was arrested by three volunteer pickets, who were 
guarding the way. Papers in Arnold's handwriting were 
found upon his person, containing particulars of the works 
at West Point and of the garrison. He was at once handed 
over to the American authorities. Arnold, hearing of his 
capture, escaped within the British lines. Andre was 
treated with great considerateness ; but his trial was a 
necessity, his guilt was established by his own admissions, 
and his death was determined by the inexorable rules of 
war. He was hanged as a spy on the 2d of October.* 
Arnold received in a measure the reward of his treachery, 
but with it the contempt of his new associates and the 
execration of the country he had deserted. 

* "There was something singularly interesting in the character of 
Andre. To an excellent understanding, well improved by education and 
travel, he united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the ad- 
vantages of a pleasing person. It is said that he possessed a pretty taste 
for the fine arts, and had himself attained some proficiency in poetry, 
music, and painting. His knowledge appeared vyithout ostentation, and 
embellished by a diffidence that rarely accompanies so many talents and 
accomplishments His elocution was handsome, his address easy, polite, 
and insinuating. By his merit he had acquired the unlimited confidence 
of his general, and was making rapid progress in miliary rank and repu- 
tation." — Ha7nilton. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 89 



VIII. 
THE DECISIVE CAMPAIGN. 

1 780-178 1. 

The Campaign of 1780-1781, which was to deter- 
mine the issues of the war, was opened in the summer by 
Cornwallis, who had been left in South Carolina by Srr 
Henry Clinton in command of the British forces m the South. 
It was his plan, retaining South Carolina and Georgia m a 
strong grasp, to push northward through North Carohna 
into Virginia, conquering as he w^nt, and renewing a con- 
nection with Clinton somewhere on the Chesapeake Bay. 
For the execution of this plan, he had an army of more than 
6000 men ; and 
depended also on 
much assistance 
from the Tories, 
who were numer- 
ous in this part 
of the country. 

Partisan War- 
fare. The chief 
opposition with 
which Cornwallis 
had at first to 
contend was from 
irregular and rude- 
ly organized bands 
of patriots, gener- 
ally mounted, who Charleston and Vicinity. 




90 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

hovered about his army, and fell upon its exposed portions 
at every opportunity. Among the leaders of these land- 
privateersmen were Sumter, Pickens, Marion ; and the 
story of their exploits forms one of the most striking chap- 
ters in the history of the war. The name of "Marion's 
Men" is especially familiar, whose deeds have been cele- 
brated even in song* Between the British and these 
roving horsemen there were endless encounters, from slight 
skirmishings up to such small battles as those at Rocky 
Mount and Hanging Rock, in July and August respec- 
tively, when Sumter won fresh distinction. Among those 
who were present at this latter fight was a lad of thirteen, 
by the name of Andrew Jackson, who about fifty years 
afterward became president of the United States. 

1780. August 1 6. The Battle of Camden, S.C, 
was the first important engagement of the campaign. To 
confront Cornwallis, Washington had despatched some 
months previous a small detachment of his northern army 
under De Kalb, and following this the Congress had ap- 
pointed Gates to the independent command at the South. 
Early on the morning of the i6th, the two armies met at 
Sanders's Creek, a few miles to the north-west of Camden. 
The advantage was with the British from the outset ; and, 
though the Americans fought with great gallantry, they 



* " Our band is few, but true and tried; 

f )ur leader swift and bold ; 
The British soldier trembles 

When Marion's name is told. 
Our fortress is the good greenwood, 

Our tent the cypress-tree ; 
We know the forest round us, 

As seamen know the sea; 
We know its walls of thorny vines, 

Its elades of reedy grass, 
Its safe and silent islands 

Within the dark morass." 

Bryant. 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 91 

suffered, as so often before, from poor generalship, and lost 
the day. The defeat was a disastrous one, and not its least 
mournful feature was the death, by wounds, of De Kalb, 
the second in command. For his conduct at this battle, 
General Gates was ordered by the Congress before a court 
of inquiry, and General Greene was appointed in his place. 

1780. Severe Measures of the British. Cornwallis 
followed up the victory at Camden by measures of great 
severity toward the patriots, confiscating their estates, im- 
prisoning all who refused to join his army, and hanging 
those who, once having fought on the King's side, had 
now joined the other side. Prisoners were impressed into 
the British navy. Personal property was given up to be 
plundered by the soldiers. Houses were burned, and help- 
less women and children driven from their homes. These 
horrors of assassination and massacre were authorized for 
the purpose of more quickly and thoroughly breaking the 
spirit of the people. The result, however, was quite the 
opposite ; for though the Tories abounded, and the pa- 
triots found some of their bitterest foes among those of 
their own household, still the latter were nerved to yet 
more desperate resistance by the cruelties which were 
practised upon them. 

1780. October-]. The Battle of King's Mountain. 
"While thus endeavoring to tighten his grasp upon the subju- 
gated provinces, Cornwallis took up his march northward. 
At King's Mountain, on the 7th of October, one of the 
divisions of his army, under Major Ferguson, was attacked 
by an unorganized body of volunteers, and badly defeated, 
losing many killed and wounded, and a ^^^^ December. 
very large number of prisoners. Fergu- Eftgland declares 
son himself was slain. For a really im- war agai7ist Hol- 

, J ^ la7id. 
portant victory, it was purchased at a 



92 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

comparatively small price, the Americans losing but 
about ICO. 

1781. January ij. The Battle of Cowpens. A still 
more important and inspiring victory was in store for the 
Americans. General Greene was now in command of 
the little army of two or three thousand men set to resist 
the advance of the British. A detachment of his force 
under General Morgan had been westward, to operate 
along the border between the Carolinas. Against this 
detachment, CornwalHs despatched about looo men under 
Colonel Tarleton, one of his most famous officers. Mor- 
gan took up a position at a place called "the Cowpens," 
and awaited an attack. His men were handled with 
skill, and fought with great coolness and intrepidity. The 
British were routed with heavy loss, there being more 
than lOO killed and 200 wounded, and about 600 taken 
prisoners, out of a total of 11 00. The Americans lost less 
than 100. The engagement was not upon a large scale ; 
but the triumph was a brilliant one, and it produced great 
elation. 

1781. March 15. The Battle of Guilford Court 
House. The Battle of Cowpens was followed by a series of 
marchings and countermarchings through the central por- 
tions of North Carolina, in which Cornwallis had it for his 
object to catch up with Greene, and Greene had it for his 
to keep out of the way. These strategic movements, the 
story of which is full of interest, occupied several weeks. 
Finally, by the middle of March, Greene was emboldened 
to make a stand near Guilford Court House, and Corn- 
wallis advanced to give him battle. Both armies fought 
with great gallantry, but neither gained a decided advan- 
tage. The Americans retreated from the field, but the 
British were too much exhausted to pursue ; and the 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 93 

losses of the latter were considerably the heavier. Corn- 
wallis, too, found it prudent to retire in the direction of 
Wilmington; a step which was a virtual confession of 
failure. So, indeed, was his move interpreted, when the 
news of it reached Parliament in June.* 

1781. April 28. The Battle of Hobkirk's Hill. 
From Wilmington, Cornwallis, intent on getting to the 
Chesapeake, presently cut across the eastern extremity of 
the State in that direction ; while Greene, foregoing pursuit, 
turned his attention to South Carolina, where Lord Raw- 
don had been left in command of the British force of occu- 
pation. Marching thither with something ^ o^ Ai>r'l 

less than 2000 men, he was encountered June. An ac- 
hy Lord Rawdon with less than 1000 at ^"'^ campaign be- 

tlVCOl the £t7tP''- 

Hobkirk's Hill, where, on the 28th of //^/^ ^;,^ French 
April, a spirited action took place. The in the West In- 
advantage fell to the British, though it 
was not a marked one, and the losses were about even. 

1781. May — August. The Repossession of South 
Carolina. The British still held several posts through- 
out the State : among them, Orangeburg, Fort Mott, Fort 
Granby, and Ninety-Six. With great skill and vigor, 
General Greene entered upon the work of reducing these 
posts. He was generally successful. One after another 
surrendered to him in open fight, or had to be abandoned 
by reason of his threatening movements, until in the course 
of the summer the British had been pretty much driven 
out of possession. 

* " There is the most condusive evidence that the war is at once im- 
practicable in its object and ruinous in its progress. . . . Had our army 
been vanquished, what course could they have taken? Certainly, they 
would have abandoned the field of action, and flown for refuge to the 
seaside ; precisely the measures the victorious army was obliged to adopt." 
— Speech of Fox in the House of Commons. 



94 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

1781. August 4. The Execution of Hayne. While 
these movements were in progress, an event occurred which 
produced deep feeling at the time throughout the country, 
1 781 August ^"^ which further deserves notice as 
Great naval bat- illustrating the spirit and methods with 
tie betrveen the ^^j^h the British prosecuted the war. 
English and the _,, , . r ^ 1 1 t 

Dutch on the This was the execution of Colonel Isaac 

Dogger Bank, Hayne. He had been captured at the 

in the North Sea. r n r /--i 1 .. j 1 j 

fall of Charleston, and paroled on con- 
dition that he would not again serve against the British 
while they were in possession. He had subsequently 
taken a forced pledge of allegiance to British authority ; 
but now, on the appearance of the American army, had 
joined it as an officer. Under these circumstances, he was 
taken prisoner, and without trial condemned to death. 
Against so summary a process, which was illegal from any 
point of view, both he and the citizens of Charleston pro- 
tested, but without avail ; and, by a decree which was made 
inexorable, he was hanged. This was only one of many 
similar cases which marked the British possession of the 
South, but circumstances gave it peculiar importance and 
publicity. 

1781. September 8. The Battle of Eutaw Springs. 
This final battle in South Carolina, and the on€j which com- 
pleted the overthrow of the British army in the South, was 
brought about by General Greene,* who, with a force of 

* "Greene had been in command less than nine months, and in that 
short time the three southern States were recovered, excepting only Wil- 
mington, Charleston, and Savannah. His career had not been marked 
by victories, but he always gained the object for which he risked an 
engagement. He says of himself, that he would ' fight, get beaten, and 
fight again.' He succeeded in driving Cornwallis out of the southern 
States, and in breaking up every British post in South Carolina outside 
of Charleston ; having had, like the commander-in-chief, to contend with 
every evil that could come from the defects in government, and from want 
of provisions, clothes, and pay for his troops. . . . Yet, while he saw 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 95 

about 2000 men, attacked the British under Colonel Stuart, 
and after a hard fight compelled their retreat. The battle 
was a bloody one, the Americans losing upwards of 500, 
and the British a still larger number. The British now 
withdrew entirely from the interior of the State to Charles- 
ton and a few other points on the seaboard. 

1781. Janimry — Jtdy. Movements at the North. 
While General Greene was thus conducting the campaign 
at the South to a successful issue, events of importance 
were occurring at the North, and contributing to prepare 
the way for the determination of the contest. In January, 
Washington's army being encamped in New Jersey with 
headquarters at Morristown, an extensive and formidable 
revolt of Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops took place, 
occasioned by a not unreasonable discontent at the very 
insufficient maintenance provided.* In the same month, 

clearly all the perils and evils against which he had to struggle, cheerful 
activity and fortitude never failed him. His care extended Xo every thing 
in the southern department. It is the peculiar character of his campaign 
that whatever was^achieved was achieved by Americans alone, and by 
Americans of the South. In the opinion of his country, he gained for 
himself as a general in the American army the place next to Washington." 
— Bancroft, vol. x. pp. 495. 496. 

* The following extracts from a letter of Colonel Alexander Scam- 
mell (a New Hanipshire officer and a member of Washington's staff), 
written probably in 1781 to some representative of his own State, give a 
graphic picture of the destitution of the troops in the matter of clothing. 
It is not known that the letter has ever before been published. 

. . . "The major part of the clothing which has been delivered our 
men has been of very inferior quality, and has been of but very little 
service to the men. It is not unusual for a soldier to wear out a pair of 
new shoes in 24 hours, and a pair of Overalls in a week, such as they 
draw out of the public store at present. I suppose there never was an 
army of equal numbers with our own that consumed one half the quantity 
of Clothing which is wasted, spoilt, worn out, and destroyed, as in and for 
ours. There has been a_ quantity of clothing, sufficient, it is said, for 
50.000 suits of uniform, lying in France and the West Indies several years 
for our Army. By the time it is completely ruined by water and moths, 
I expect it will arrive in small parcels, so as to give one soldier a coat, 
another a pair of Breeches, a 3d a waistcoat, &c. &c. I have nearly 
given up the Idea of ever seeing our men in complete uniform. They 
now appear on parade like a parcel of merry Andrews. One half of the 



96 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

Sir Henry Clinton sent General Arnold, now a British 
officer, with a detachment of 1600 men to establish a foot- 
hold in Virginia. Arnold burned Richmond ; and General 
Phillips, who presently arrived with reinforcements and 
succeeded to the command of the expedition, extended 
its depredations to the country around. For the defence 
of the State, Washington had detached Lafayette with a 
small force. These were the circumstances under which, 
about the middle of May, Cornwallis and his army made 
their appearance, marching northward from the Carolinas. 
1781. The Summer Situation. This, then, was the 
situation during the summer of 17S1 The armies of La- 
fayette and Cornwallis were skirmishing with each other 
in Virginia ; the British plundering and ravaging on every 
hand, the Americans not strong enough to attack. French 
and English fleets were hovering about the Chesapeake 
and along the coast. Sir Henry Clinton still held New 
York, firmly persuaded that Washington intended an at- 
tack upon him there. It was Washington's intention, 
however, leaving Clinton under that persuasion, to move 
the strength of his army rapidly into Virginia for the pur- 
pose of falling upon Cornwallis. And, in the execution of 
this plan, most effective assistance was rendered by the 

Expenditures now made for supplying the army with Clothing;, if laid out 
for that which is uood and of proper colour, would keep our Army decently 
clad, and enable them to make an appearance ten times more niilitary. 
Notwithstanding the clothing that we get at present, our soldiers are 
nearly one-ha'.f of them unfit for duty for want of clothes. . . . At present 
we very frequently lose the services of our men at very critical junctures for 
want of shoes. It is impossible to conceive of worse than are now fur- 
nished us. A man may rip one-half of them to pieces with his hands. 
... I omitted mentioning that some of the men received a little money 
toward the deficiency of clothing in '77. The estimate was made when 
money was not more than two for one, if that, and [they] received the 
money in the latter part of '79 or beginning of '80, when it was 40 or 50 
for one, so that it is not worth takmg into computation The poor brave 
fellows dearly earnt every article. ... I beg leave to repeat the want of 
Boots and Hats for the Officers, who at present are almost totally desti- 
tute of both —and leather Caps for the soldiers." . ,. . 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



97 



French allies, commanded by Count Rochambeau and 
Count de Grasse. 

1781. August— October. The Siege of Yorktown. 
Acting under instructions from Sir Henry Clinton, Corn- 
wallis, early in Au- 
gust, proceeded to 
establish his army 
in a fortified posi- 
tion at Yorktown, 
on the peninsula 
formed by the York 
and James Rivers. 
It was thought that 
this spot was easy 
of defence against 
the Americans, be- 
sides securing the 
co-operation of the 
fleet, and affording 
opportunity for re- Yorktown and Vicinity. 

moval to New York, if necessity for such a movement 
should arise. The expected stronghold proved a trap. 
Cornwallis only shut himself up in it, and his escape 
became impossible. The French fleet, under De Grasse, 
blockaded him by sea ; and Washington, having effected 
the combination of his forces, moved down upon him 
along the peninsula. By the last of September, the in- 
vestment was complete, and early in October the siege 
formally began. 

1781. October 19. The Surrender of Cornwallis. 

The siege of Yorktown was of short duration. The 

Americaae rapidly worked themselves up within storming 

distance of the British position. The first assault was 

7 




98 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

made upon the 14th of October, accomplishing its object. 
A sortie by the British on the i6th was unsuccessful. On 
the 17th, Cornwallis proposed to surrender. On the i8th, 
the capitulation was drawn up. On the 19th, it was carried 
into effect. More than 8000 prisoners laid down their 
arms, including nearly 2000 German hirelings. One of 
Washington's aids bore the news of the victory to the 
Congress at Philadelphia, and the most intense joy was 
everywhere the result. All could now see the beginning 
of the end. Even Sir Henry Clinton, arriving off the 
Chesapeake a few days after the surrender with 7000 
men, realized the situation at once, and returned to New 
York. And the tidings, reaching England a month later, 
wrung from Lord North the despairing exclamation : " It 
is all over." 



IX. 

THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. 

1781-1783. 

1781. Subsequent Military Movements. The 

siege of Yorktown was the last battle of the Revolution. 
Reinforcements were despatched to Greene in South Car- 
olina ; the French troops went into winter quarters in 
Virginia ; De Grasse sailed away with his fleet to the 
West Indies ; and Washington withdrew the body of his 
army to its old position. The British remained in posses- 
sion of New York, Charleston, and Savannah. Between 
them and the Americans hostilities mainly ceased. For a 
time, however, the Indians kept up a warfare .upon the 
border settlements, in which they were joined more or less 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



99 



by the Tories ; but these disturbances were put a stop to, 
when, in May, 1782, Sir Guy Carleton succeeded Clinton. 
The last life lost in the war is said to have been that of 
John Laurens of South Carolina, who was killed in a 
skirmish with a British marauding party on the Com- 
bahee River, o-n the 27th of August of that year. 

1781. December \y Thanksgiving. By appointment 
of the Congress, the 13th of December was observed as a 
day of thanksgiving " to Almighty God for the signal suc- 
cess of the American arms." 

1782. yaniuiry. Robert Morris and the Finances. 
Next to the negotiations of peace, the most serious concern 
of the country was the mending of its 1782. The early 
financial condition, now deplorable in 
the extreme. A year before this time, 
the Congress had created the office of 
Superintendent of the Finances, and ap- 
pointed Robert Morris, a Philadelphia 
merchant, to fill it. Through his influ- 
ence, the Congress, in December, 1781, 
incorporated the Bank of North America, 
which went into operation in January 
following, and proved not a little ser- 
viceable in relieving the national embar- 
rassments. Morris used all his influence 
and authority to effect a return to specie 
payments, to fund the public debt, and 
to procure for the Congress the right to 
lay taxes ; and he was instrumental in 
greatly relieving the necessities and satis- 
fying the demands of the army. 

1782. Peace. The negotiations for 
peace, which had been in progress through 



months of this 
year witness im- 
portant gains to 
France and 
Spain over Eng- 
land in the West 
Indies and else- 
where. The Eng- 
lish fleet, hozv- 
ever.1 defeats the 
French in a great 
battle off the Car- 
ibee Islands. 



1782, February 
—March. The 
ofponertts of the 
war gain the 
ascendency in 
Parliament., and 
Lord North re- 
signs. The Mar- 
quis of Rocking- 
ham succeeds to 
the preniiersliip. 

1782. March. 
Fra n klin , from. 
Paris., opens cor- 



lOO PARAGRAPH HISTORY 



respondejice with the summer, came to a successful issue 

Shelburne the j^^ November. They were conducted in 
7ie2v British oec- ■' 

retary of State ^ Paris. The relations of France and Spain 

with reference to to England and America somewhat com- 

' plicated the settlement ; and such details 

!7o2. Jitly. g^g boundaries, fisheries, and indemnities, 
The Earl of Shel- ^ Jrr ^ • , • , 

bnrne {Lord presented difficulties which at times 

Lansdowne) be- threatened to be insuperable. But wis- 

conies prime ntiii- ■, j c v. -i j j 

ister on the death ^^"^ ^^^ forbearance prevailed, and on 

of Rockingham. the 30th of the month a formal treaty 

17^2. April. The ^^^ assented to; Mr. Richard Oswald, 

States-general of Mr. Henry Strachey, and Mr. Fitz-Her- 

Hollandvote to ^^^^ ^^ .^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ Britain, and 

receive John ° ' 

Adams as a rep- Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, and 

resentative of the Henry Laurens for the United States. 
United States. _,..,^ , , .. ,. 

Benjamin Vaughan also participated in 

the negotiations as the confidential agent of Lord Lans- 
downe. The chief negotiators, however, were Oswald and 
Franklin. The treaty was based on a full acknowledgment 
of the independence of the United States, and conceded 
the utmost that was asked by the latter with respect to 
boundaries and the fisheries. Its character was provi- 
sional, but in September of the following year it was fully 
confirmed. 

1783. April 19. Cessation of Hostilities. On this 
1783. April. day, the eighth anniversary of the Battle 

Lord North re-^ of Lexington and Concord, the cessation 
coalition with "^ ^^ hostilities was formally proclaimed in 
Fox. the camp of the American army. 

1783. The Constitution of New Hampshire, the 
foundations of which had been laid in 1776, was now per- 
fected, and adopted by the people ; and went into effect 
upon the 31st of October. 



OE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: loi 

1783. November. Disbandment and Evacuation. 

On the 3d of November the American army was disbanded 
by orders of the Congress, and on the 23d the British evac- 
uated New York. The American Revolution was at 

AN END. 



X. 

THE SEQUEL. 

1783. December. Washington's Retirement. On 

the 4th of December, in New York, Washington took 

leave of his officers. It was an affecting ^^g, December. 

scene. " I cannot come to each of you The younger 

to take mv leave," said he, "but shall be P^^^ becomes 

. . prime tnintster. 
obliged if each of you will come and take 

my hand." * As he passed through Philadelphia, on his 
way to Annapolis, where the Congress was assembled, he 
rendered to the comptroller a detailed account of his ex- 
penses during the war. They amounted to $64,000, and 
every charge was minutely substantiated. This was in ac- 
cordance with the terms upon which he had accepted his 
appointment as Commander-in-chief. To the Congress, on 
the 23d, he resigned his commission,! and then retired to 

* " The tear of manly sensibility was in every eye ; not a word was 
spoken to interrupt the dignified silence and the tenderness of the scene. 
Leaving the room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, to the 
barge which was to convey him across the river. The whole company 
followed in mute and silent procession, with dejected countenances, testi- 
fying to feelings of delicious melancholy, which no language can describe. 
Having entered the barge, he turned to the company, and, waving his 
hat, bade them a silent adieu." — Marshall. 

t H'ashing-ton to the Congress : " The successful termination of the 
war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for 
the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from 
my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest. 
... I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last act of my 



I02 PARAGRAPH HISTORY 

his home at Mount Vernon, which he had visited but once, 
and then only for a few hours, during the eight years of 
war. 

The Society of the Cincinnati. The officers of the 
army, before finally separating, organized themselves into 
"a society of friends," under the name of the "Society 
of. the Cincinnati," for the perpetuation of the patriotic 
memories and sentiments in which they shared, " to endure 
as long as they shall endure, or any of their male posterity." 
The organization was effected at the quarters of Baron 
Steuben at New York, and the constitution was drawn up 
by General Knox. The society is still in existence. 

Evils following the War. Many of the usual evils, 
and some that were unusual, followed in the train of the 
war. A debt which was comparatively enormous had ac- 
cumulated, and there was no power to raise money for the 
discharge of it. Many of the people were plunged in pov- 
erty. There was a constant clashing of interests between 
the several States. And more and more it became appar- 
ent that the system of government under which the States 
were associated was too weak and inefficient to appropriate 
and maintain the advantages that had been won by the war. 

official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the pro- 
tection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of 
them to his holy keeping. Having now finished the work assigned me, 
I retire from the great theatre of action, and, bidding an affectionate 
farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I 
here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of 
pub'ic life." . 

President Mifflin of the Congress to Washington: "Sir, the United 
States, in Congress assembled, receive with emotions too affecting for 
utterance the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have 
led their troops with success through a perilous and doubtful war. We 
join with you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the 
protection of Almighty God ; and, for you, we address to him our earnest 
prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all his care ; that your 
days may be as happy as they have been illustrious ; and that he will 
finally give you that reward which this world cannot give." 



OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 103 

1787. May— September. The Constitutional Con- 
vention. In May, a convention of about 50 delegates from 
the several States assembled in Philadelphia, for the revision 
of the articles of confederation. Washington presided ; and 
among the members were Franklin,* Roger Sherman, 
Alexander Hamilton, Robert Morris, James Madison, 
John Rutledge, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. The 
convention remained in session for four months, and the 
result was the perfecting of an entirely new constitution, 
which banded the States into the compact union under a 
central government which now exists. This constitution 
received in due course the approval of the several States, 
and in 1788 went into effect. Under it Washington was 
elected first President of the United States, and John 
Adams Vice-President. Upon the 30th of April, 1789, 
Washington entered on his first administration. And at 

THIS POINT THE HISTORY PROPER OF THE UNITED STATES 

OF America begins. 

* It was during the heated discussions of this convention that Frank- 
lin proposed the appointment of a chaplain to open its sessions with prayer, 
saying: " I have lived a long time ; and the longer I live, the more con- 
vincing proofs I see of this^ruth, that God governs the affairs of men. 
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it possible 
that an empire can rise without his aid ? " 



APPENDIX. 



THE IMPORTANT BATTLES OF THE REVO- 
LUTION. 

A COMPLETE list of the battles of the Revolution, as commonly 
reckoned, would enumerate about 50. But many of these were 
mere skirmishes. Only the more important engagements are men- 
tioned in the following table : — 



Date. 



American Vic- 
tories. 



Of Mixed Re- 
sult. 



British Victo- 
ries. 



1775, April 



[776, 



May 10. 
June 17. 
Dec. 31. 
June 28. 



Aug. 27. 
Oct. II. 



„ 28. 
Nov. 16. 



Dec. 26. 
Jan. 3. 
Aug. 16. 
Sept. II 
» 19 

Oct. 4. 



^778, 



June 28. 
Aug. 29. 
Dec. 29. 



Ticonderoga. 



Lexington and 
Concord. 

Bunker Hill. 



Sullivan's Island 
(S.C). 



Trenton. 

Princeton. 

Bennington. 



Saratoga (first 
battk). 



Saratoga (second 
battle and Bur- 
goyne's sur- 
render). 



Monmouth 
(N.J.) 



Quebec. 



Long Island. 

Lake Champlain 
(naval). 

White Plains. 

Fort Washing- 
ton. 



Brandywine. 
Germantown. 



Forts Mercer 
and Mifflin. 



Quaker Hil 

(R.I.). 
Savannah. 



APPENDIX. 



:05 



Date. 



American Vic- 
tories. 



Of Mixed Re- 
sult. 



British Victo- 
ries. 



i779> July i6. 
„ Oct. 9. 
[780, May. 

„ June 23. 
„ Aug. 16. 
„ Oct. 7. 

1781, Jan. 17. 
„ Mar. 15. 

„ April 28. 
„ Sept. 8. 

„ Oct. 



Stony Point. 



Springfield(N.J.) 



King's Moun- 
tain (S.C). 
Cowpens (S.C). 



Savannah. 
Siege of Charles- 
ton. 

Camden (S.C). 



Guilford Court 

House. 
Hobkirk's Hill. 



Eutaw Springs 

(S.C). 
Siege of York- 
town. 



The following table gives the number of soldiers furnished b/ 
each State to the Continental Army during the war ; 

10,726 
7.263 
6,417 
5»9o8 
2,679 
2,386 



Massachusetts . 

Connecticut . . 

Virginia . . . 
Pennsylvania 

New York . . 

Maryland . . . 
New Hampshire 



67,907 

3', 939 
26,678 
25,678 
17,781 
I3i9i2 
12,497 


New Jersey . 
North Carolina 
South Carolina 
Rhode Island 
Georgia . . 
Delaware . . 
Total . 



231,791 



The exact number of German troops which actually served in the 
English army during the Revolution is not known ; but Dr. Friedrich 
Kapp, who has made a careful study of both German and English 
archives, gives the figures as follows : — 

Number of Number 

Men returned 

furnished. Home. 

Brunswick 5,723 2,708 

Hesse-Cassel 16,992 10,492 

Hesse-Hanau 2,422 i>44i 

Waldeck 1,225 S°5 

Anspach 1,644 1,183 

Anhalt-Zerbst t,i6o 984 

29,166 17,313 

Total losses ",853 



Great Britain sent to America in all between 130,000 and 140,000 
men, of whom some 22,000 were seamen. 



lo6 APPENDIX. 



The reader is referred to one or two of the more important works 
relating to the Revolution, as follows : — 

General Histories. 

Bancroft's History of the United States, vols. v.-x. 

Hildreth's History of the United States, vol. iii. 

Greene's Historical View of the American Revolution. 

Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution. 

Moore's Diary of the Revolution. 

Stedman's History of the American War (English). 

Special Histories. 

Greene's The German Element in the War of Independence. 
Sabine's History of the American Loyalists. 
Frothingham's Rise of the Republic. 

,, Siege of Boston. 

Marshall's Life of Washington. 
Irving's „ „ „ 

(There are also valuable biographies of all the prominent actors 
in affairs, both civil and military.) 

Fiction. 
Cooper's Lionel Lincoln. 
„ Pilot. 
„ The Spy. 
Hawthorne's Septimius Felton. 
Simms's novels, seven in number, illustrative of Revolutionary 

scene and incident in South Carolina. 
Kennedy's Horseshoe Robinson. 

Poetry. 

Moore's Songs and Ballads of the Revolution, 
Freneau's Poems Relating to the American Revolution. 
Longfellow's Paul Revere's Ride. 
Reed's Wagoner of the Alleghanies. 
Campbell's Gertrude of Wyoming. 



INDEX. 



Adams, John, 17, 26, 32, 45, 49, 50, 

5i> 54) 85, 100, 103. 
Adams, Samuel, 21, 28, 32, 33, 39, 

46, 54- 
Albany, 59, 71. 
Allen, Ethan, 38, 42. 
Amboy, 64. 
Andre, Major, 88. 
Annapolis, 30. 
Arbuthnot, Admiral, 86. 
Armed Neutrality, Declaration of, 

by Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, 
. 86. 

Arnold, Gen., 42, 60, 64, 87, 88, 96. 
Attucks, Crispus, 26, 

Baltimore, 61, 62. 

Bartlett, Josiah, 54. 

Barre, Col., Speech by, 17. 

Baskingridge, 61. 

Battle of Behmus's Heights, 71. 

Bennington, 70. 

Brandywine, 73. 

Bunker Hill, 40. 

Camden, 90. 

Charleston, 86. 

Chemung, 81. 

Concord, 35. 

Cowpens, 92. 

Dogger Bank, 94. 

Eutaw Springs, 94. 

Fts. Mercer and Mifflin, 73 

Fort Washington, 59. 

Germantown, 73. 

Guilford Court House, 92. 

Hanging Rock, 90. 

Hobkirk's Hill, 93. 

King's Mountain, 91. 



Battle of Lake Champlain, 60. 

Lexington, 35. 

Long Island, 57, 58. 

Monmouth, 77. 

Princeton, 63. 

Quaker Hill, 79. 

Quebec, 42. 

Rocky Mount, 90. 

Saratoga, 70, 71. 

'Savannah, 79, 82, 

Springfield, 87. 

Stony Point, 80, 81. 

Sullivan's Island, 48. 

Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point, 38. 

Trenton, 61, 62. 

White Plains, 59. 

Yorktown, 97. 
Baum, Lt. Col., 70. 
Bernard, Gov., 21, 22, 23, 24, 26. 
Black Hole, Tragedy of, 13. 
Board of War, 50. 
Boston, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 

32, 33, 37, 45, 57- 
Botetourt, Gov., 25. 
Braxton, Carter, 55. 
Breed's Hill, 40. 
Breymann, Lt. Col., 70. 
Bristol, R.I., 43. 

British Museum, Founding of, 13. 
Brookline, 31. 
Brooklyn, 58. 
Bunker Hill, 46. 

Burgoyne, Gen., 68, 69, 70, 71, 75. 
Burke, Edmund, 30. 
Burr, Aaron, 42. 
Bute, Earl of, succeeds Pitt, i6'. 
Byron, Admiral, 79. 



io8 



INDEX. 



Caldwell, Mrs., 87, 
Cambridge, 24, 31, 33, 34, 40, 41. 
Campbell, Lt. Col., 80. 
Canada, 14, 31, 33, 42, 43, 45, 49, 

60, 68, 71, 85. 
Carleton, Sir Guy, 59, 60, 68, 99. 
Carroll, Charles, of Carrollton, 55. 
Carpenters' Hall, 32. 
Castine, Me., Expedition to, 81. 
Castle William, 33. 
Catherine, Empress of Russia, 43. 
Charleston, S.C, 30, 46, 47, 48, So, 

86. 
Charlestown, Mass., 31, 32, 33, 40, 

41. 
Charlotte, N.C., 38. 
Chase, Samuel, 55. 
Chatham, Earl of, 35, 66, 74, 77. 
Chesapeake Bay, 72, 89. 
Choiseul, French Minister, 20. 
Cincinnati, Society of, 102. 
Circular, The Massachusetts, 21. 
Clark, Abraham, 55. 
Clark, George Rogers, Expedition 

of, 76. 
Clinton, Sir Henry, 48, 71, 78, 86, 

87, 88, 89, 96, 97, 98, 99. 
Clymer, George, 55. 
Colonies, The Thirteen Original, 14. 
Combahee River, 99. 
Commissioners of Customs, 20, 21. 
Concord, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 46. 
Congress, 18, 32, 38, 42, 44, 47, 49, 

51-55. 62. 
Connecticut, 37, 38, 39, 45, 48, 54, 

62, 63, 80. 
Constitutional Convention, 56, 103. 
Conway Cabal, 75, 76. 
Cornwallis, Gen., 63, 86, 89, 90, 91, 

92, 93, 96, 97, 98. 
Crown Point, 59. 

Danbury, Conn., 64. 

Dead River, 42. 

Deane, Silas, 45, 59, 65, 76. 

Declaration of Independence, 51, 

^52, 53,. 54, 55- 

Declaration of Rights, 19, 33. 

Dedham, Mass., 32. 

De Grasse, Count, 97, 98. 

De Kalb, Baron, 20, 65, 66, 90, 91. 

Delaware, 31, 38, 48, 55. [79. 

Delaware River, 61, 62, 63, 72, 73, 



D'Estaing, Count, 78, 79, 82, 87. 
Dickinson, John, 49, 50. 
Dopop, The Count, 61, 73. 
Dorchester, Mass., 31, 46. 
Duche, Jacob, Rev., 33. 
Dunmore, Gov., 35, 38, 44. 
Dutch, Colonies settled by, 14. 
Dutch Fleet, Seizure by the Eng- 
lish, 85. 

East India Company, 29. 
Ellery, William, 54. 
Encyclopedists, the French, 13. 
England declares war against Hol- 
land, gi. 



Falmouth, Me., 43. 

Faneuil Hall, Boston, 22, 23, 24, 

26, 31, 46. 
Federal Union, 39. 
Ferguson, Major, 91. 
Finances of the Revolution, 83, 84. 
Fitz- Herbert, Mr., 100. 
P'lorida, Spain covetous of, 85. 
Floyd, William, 54. 
Fort Clinton, 71. 

Edward, 69. 

Granby, 93. 

Lee, 59. 

Mercer, 73. 

Mifflin, 73. 

Montgomery, 71. 

Motte, 93. 

Ninety-Six, 93. 

Orangeburg, 93. 

Sullivan's Island, 48. 

Washington, 59. 
Fox, Speech in House of Commons, 

44, 93- 
France, 43, 57, 65. 
Franklin, 17, ig, 30, 39, 41, 45, 50, 
51, 55, 59, 65, 76, 85, 99, 100, 103. 
Frederick of Prussia, 64, 66, 75. 
French and Indian War, 14, 60. 

Gadsden, Christopher, 19, 32. 
Gage, Gen., 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 43. 
"Gaspee," Burning of the, 28. 
Gates, Gen. Horatio, 41, 60, 61, 64, 

70, 71, 76, 90, gi. 
George III., Accession of, 15. 



INDEX. 



109 



Georgia, 32, 38, 43, 49. 55, 63, 65, 

7g, 86, 89. 
Germain, Lord (Sackville), 43. 
German Princes, 43. 
German Troops, 6r. 
Gerry, Elbridge, 54. 
Gibbon, Period of, 13. 
Gibraltar, Siege of, 86. 
Goethe, Period of, 13. 
Goldsmith, Period of, 13. 
Grafton, Diike of, succeeds Pitt, 

20. 
Greene, Gen. Nathaniel, 37, 41, 87, 

91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98. 
Grenville, Sir George, succeeds 

Bute, 16. 
Gwinnett, Button, 55. 

Hale, Nathan, 58. 

Halifax, N.S., 57. 

Hall, Lyman, 55. 

Hamilton, Alexander, 103. 

Hancock, John, 21, 34, 39, 55, 56. 

Handel, Period of, 13. 

Harrison, Benjamin, 55. 

Hart, John, 55. 

Haverstraw, N.Y., 88. 

Hayne, Col. Isaac, Execution of, 

94. 
Hayward, Thomas, Jr., 55. 
Heath, William, 41. 
Henry, Patrick, 10, 17, 18, 32, 35, 

38, 47, 48. 
Hewes, Joseph, 55. 
Hooper, William, 55. 
Hopkins, Stephen, 54. 
Hopkinson, P>ancis, 55. 
Howe, Admiral, 57, 78, 79. 
Howe, Gen., 43, 57, 59, 61, 65, 67, 

68, 72, 73, 74, 75, 78, 80. 
Hudson River, 59, 80. 
Hume, Period of, 13. 
Huntington, Samuel, 54. 
Hutchinson, Gov., 26, 30, 

Indian Wars, 37. 

Intercolonial Correspondence, 28. 

Ireland, 42. 

Jackson, Andrew, 90. _ • 
Jamaica, English Colonies in, 34. 
Jay, John, 32, 85, 100. 



Jefferson, Thomas, 25, 39, 50, 51, 
^ 55, 56. 

Johnson, Period of, 13, 19. 
Jones, Paul, 67, 82. 

Kennebec River, 42. 
King George's War, 14. 
Knowlton, Expedition of Major, 45. 
Knox, Gen. 102. 
Knyphausen, 87. 
Kosciuszko, 66. 

Lafayette, 65, 66, 87, 96. 
Lake Champlain, 38, 42, 59, 60, 68. 
Lake Ontario, 68. 
Lancaster, Pa., 73, 74. 
Lansdowne, Lord, 100. 
Laurens, Henry, 100. 
Laurens, John, 99. 
Lee, Arthur, 59, 65, 76. 

Francis Lightfoot, 55. 
Gen. Charles, 41, 60, 61, 78. 
Major Henr)', 81. 
Richard Henry, 49, 51, 55. 
Lewis, Francis, 54. 
Lexington, Mass., 31, 35, 36, 37, 

38, 46. 
"Liberty,'' The Sloop, 21. 
Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin, 34, 80, 82, 

86. 
Lisbon, Earthquake at, 13. 
Livingston, Philip, 54. 
Livingston, Robert R., 19, 49, 50. 
Long Island, 58, 65, 79. 
Louis XVL of France, 30. 
Lynch, Thomas, Jr., 55. 
Lynn, Mass., 31. 

MacCrea, Jane, 70. 
Madison, James, 48, 103. 
Maine, 42, 43,-8i. 
Marion's Men, 90. 
Mai-yland, 31, 48, 55, 62, 63. 
Mason, George, 48. 
Massachusetts, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 30, 

32, 33, 35. 39, 41, 48, 54, 63, 82. 
Massachusetts Towns, Convention 

of, 23. 
Massacre in Boston, 25. 
Maurepas, Prime Minister of 

France, 31. 
McKean, Thomas, 55. 
Mecklenburg Declaration, The, 38. 



no 



INDEX. 



Middlebrook, N.J., yg. 
Middleton, Arthur, 55. 
Mifflin, President of Congress, 102. 
Mississippi Valley, The, 74, 76, 85. 
Mohawk Valley, The, 70. 
Monmouth, N.J., 78. 
Montgomery, Gen. Richard, 4r, 42. 
Montreal, 42. 
Morgan, Gen., 92. 
Morris, Lewis, 54. 

Robert, 55, 99, 103. 
Morristown, N.J., 64, 66, 83, 95. 
Morton, John, 55. 
Moultrie, Col., 48. 
Mount Vernon, Va., 102. 

Nelson, Thomas, Jr., 55. 
New Brunswick, N.J., 64. 
New Hampshire, 37, 48, 54, 63. 
New Jersey, 38, 48, 55, 59, 60, 61, 

62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 72, 78, 86, 87. 
New Orleans, Ulloa arrives at, 20. 
Newport, R. I., 43, 79. 
Newton, Mass., 31. 
New York, 18, 29, 38, 48, SO) 58. 63, 

65, lOI. 

Ninetv-Six, S.C, 93. 

Norfolk, Va._, 44, 46, 80. 

North Carolina, 27, 31, 38, 47, 49, 

55» 63, 89, 92. 
North, Lord, 24, 43, 75, 98, 99. 
Nova Scotia, 22, 30, 33, 85. 

Ohio River, 76, 85. 

Old South Church, Boston, 26, 45. 

Oliver, Gov., 30. 

Orangeburj^, S.C, 93. 

Oswald, Richard, 100. 

Otis, James, 16, 19, 23. 

Paca, William, 55. . 

Paine, Robert Treat, 54, 

Paine, Thomas, 44. 

Paris, Negotiations at, 59, 65. 

Parker, Sir Peter, 48. 

Parliament, 17, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 

43, 44, 45- 7^ 77, 79- 
Peace, Plans for, 84. 
Peekskill, N.Y., 64. 
Penn, John, 55. 
Pennsylvania, 38, 48, 62, 63. 
Philadelphia, 39, 55, 56, 61, 72, 73, 

77- 



Phillips, Gen., 96. 

Pickens, Gen., 90. 

Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 103. 

Pitcairn, Major, 36. 

Pitt, William, 15, 19, 20, roi. 

Pomeroy, Seth, 34, 41. 

Pontiac, 14. 

Portland, Me., 43. 

Portsmouth, N. H., 34. 

Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va., 80. 

Presbyterians, 38. 

Prescott, Col., 40, 41. 

Preston, Capt., 26. 

Prevost, Gen., 80. 

Princeton College, 32. 

Privy Council, 30. 

Pulaski, Count, 66, 82. 

Putnam, Gen. Israel, 37, 41. 

QuiNCY, Josiah, Jr., 26. 

Rall, 61. 

Randolph, Edmund, 48. 

Randolph, Peyton, 32. 

Rawdon, Lord, 93. 

Read, George, 55. 

Regulators, The, 27. 

Revere, Paul, 36. 

Revolt of New Jersey and Penn- 
sylvania Troops, 95. 

Rhode Island, 37, 47, 54, 62, 78. 

Richmond, Duke or, 77. 

Ridgefield, Conn., 64. 

Rochambeau, Count, 87, 97. 

Rockingham, Marquis of, 99. 

Rocky Mount, S.C, 90. 

Rodney, Caesar, SS- 

Romney, The Affair of the, 21. 

Ross, George, 55. 

Rousseau, Period of, 13. 

Roxbury, Mass., 31. 

Ruggles, Timothy, 19. 

Rush, Benjamin, 55. 

Russia, 42. 

Rutledge, Edward, 32, 35, 49, 55, 
103. 

Safety, Massachusetts Committee 

of, 34, 36. 
Sag Harbor, L.I., 65. 
Salem, Mass., 30, 34. 
Sander's Creek, S.C, 90. 
Sandy Hook, N.J., 78. 



INDEX. 



Saratoga, N.Y., 69, 71. 

Savannah, Ga., 79, 80, 82, 98. 

Scammell, Col. Alexander, 95. 

Schiller, Period of, 13. 

Schuyler, Gen. Philip, 41, /2, 69, 70. 

Schuylkill River, 75. 

Seven Years' War, 13. 

Sherman, Roger, 32, 39, 50, 54, 103 

Smith, James, 55. 

Sons of Liberty, 17. 

South Carolina, 28, 31, 33, 38, 49, 

55» 63, 765 89, 93. 
Spain, 65. 

Spencer, Joseph, 41. 
Stamp Act, 17, 19, 20. 
Stark, Gen. John, 37. 
Staten Island, 58. 
St. Clair, Gen., 69. 
Steuben, Baron, 66, 102. 
Stockton, Richard, 55. 
Stone, Thomas, 55. 
Strachey, Henry, 100. 
Stuart, Col., 95. 
Suffolk County, Mass., 32. 
Sullivan, Gen. John, 41, 81, 
Sullivan's Island, S.C, 48. 
Sumter, Gen., 90. 
Sunbury, Ga., 80. 
Supply, Massachusetts Committee 

of, 34. 36. 
Swedenborg, Period of, 13. 
Swedes, Colonies settled by, 14. 



Tarleton, Col., 86, 92. 

Tarrytown, N.Y., 88. _ 

Taxation of the Colonies, 15, 19, 20. 

Taylor, George, 55. 

Tea, Troubles over, 29, 207. 

Thomas, John, 41. 

Thornton, Matthew, 54. 

Ticonderoga, N.Y., 60, 68. 

Trenton, N.J., 61, 62, 63. 

Tryon, Gov., 27. 



Ulloa arrives at New Orleans, 20. 
Ushant, Naval Battle off, 78. 
Utica, N.Y., 66. 

Valley Forge, Camp at, 75. 
Vaughan, Benjamin, 100. 
Vergennes, French Minister of 

Foreign Affairs, 31. 
Vermont, 38. 
Verplank's Point, 80. 
Virginia, 18, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34> 

35» 38, 39> 44, 47, 48, 49, 5', 55, 

631 76, 89, 96. 
Voltaire, Period of, 13. 

Walton, George, 55. 

Ward, Artemas, Gen., 34, 41. 

Warren, Dr. Joseph, 41. 

Washington Elm, The, 41. 

Washington, George, 25, 32, 39, 41, 
46, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 
66, 67, 72, 73, 75. 76, 78, 79, 81. 
86, 90, 93, 96, 97, loi, 103. 

Wayne, Gen. Anthony, 81. 

Wedderburn, 30. 

Wesleys, Period of the, 13. 

Western Massachusetts, 38. 

West Indies, 33, 93, 99. 

West Point, N.Y., 71, 79, 88. 

Whipple, William, 54. 

Whitefield, Period of, 13. 

Whitemarsh, Pa., 75. 

White Plains, N.Y., 59. 

Williams, William, 54. 

Williamsburg, Va., 35. 

Wilmington, N.C., 73. 

Wilson, James, 55. 

Witherspoon, John, 32, 50, 55. 

Wolcott, Oliver, 54. 

Wooster, Gen. David, 41. 

Wyoming, Massacre of, 78. 

Wythe, George, 55. 

YORKTOWN, 74. 



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